Inside a room in the Vatican, a secret meeting between the God's Right Seat was being held.

"She hasn't come back," the yellow robed Vento of the Front spoke agitatedly. She was tapping the table in a stable rhythm.

"Everybody knows it, don't say something unnecessary like that," replied the green-clad Terra of the Left.

Meanwhile, Acqua of the Back was silent, letting the two of them bicker like children.

"Stop," a single word from the redheaded Fiamma of the Right made Vento and Terra become silent. "She hasn't come back. Delaying using that will just lead to disadvantage. Bring that out."

"It raises the question on who will do it," Acqua spoke his thought.

"Striking Devil territory like that would be amusing. I will do it," Vento offered herself.

"Does it have to do with the fact that Lucifer's little sister is stationed there?" the green-clad man taunted her.

The only woman in the room just glared heatedly at Terra.

"You and I know that's just a bonus."

"I wonder if it's just a bonus for you," the smirk on Terra's face made her want to strangle the man.

"Shut your mouth!"

"Calm down."

The tension rising was squashed down like a bug by the redheaded man.

"Vento, prepare yourself for the trip. We have to get the Red Dragon Emperor on our side. Meeting dismissed."

Pawn
A High School DxD Fanfiction

Xenovia Quarta was sweating. With a training sword held between her hands, and the figure of her mentor and guardian in front of her, smiling widely, with another training sword pointed at her.

"Xenovia! Your stances are all weird! I did not teach you to be like this!"

"I'm sorry, Teacher Griselda."

"Xenovia…" her tone changed completely from cold teacher-like to a warm mother-like one. Xenovia just sighed when she heard that.

"There is something on my mind. That's it," she confessed bluntly to her mentor-figure.

Said mentor-figure stared sharply at her, before she patted her head, "it's about Durandal, huh?"

"Seems like I cannot lie to you, Teacher Griselda."

"Is it because you think you're not worthy to wield it?"

Xenovia just tilted her head, "Why would I think of something like that when Durandal is the one who choose me? No. I am not thinking about that, Teacher."

Griselda Quarta just smiled bitterly. Xenovia was too blockheaded to worry about the slightest thing like that. Then again her blockheadedness might be because she was suppressing her emotions. Being an exorcist at a young age was surely taxing not only to her mind but also her body.

She had heard about a young exorcist who snapped and was exiled by the Vatican because he became too dangerous. She hoped the girl who had become like her daughter would not go down that path.

"Then what's on your thought, Xenovia?"

"I'm waiting for Durandal to talk to me. But it hasn't said anything yet."

At that, Griselda just sighed.

"Xenovia… how many times do I have to say it, Durandal is not a sentient sword."

"Bu-But how could it choose me when it is not sentient? I believe Durandal is capable of thinking. Else, it could be wielded by anyone. Now I just have to find a way for us to communicate."

Just as Griselda opened her mouth to answer, someone cut her off.

"Excuse me, Miss Quarta. Mr. Strada said he's expecting you in five minutes."

It was a priest who called her.

"Perfect. Xenovia, come with me. Old Man Vasco probably has the answer to your problem."

There was a hopeful look on her face, "You mean he will know how to communicate with Durandal?"

"…Didn't you remember the history lesson? Old Man Vasco is the previous wielder of Durandal. I'm sure you can learn a thing or two about it from him," Including the fact that it was not sentient, Griselda thought on her mind.

"Yes. Maybe I will learn the way to understand Durandal better."

Griselda truly wanted to retort but she held her tongue. Old Man Vasco would surely know how to talk her out of it.

When they arrived, she found Dulio inside.

"Fancy seeing you here, Dulio. Don't you have a mission in Russia?"

"I would be there now if it's not for Old Man Vasco calling me. Speaking of which, the one behind you is…" Dulio trailed off.

"Yes, this is the current wielder of Durandal, Xenovia Quarta. You could say she's my protégé," Griselda patted her on the shoulder as they waited for the man who called them to appear.

"I still don't know why Durandal chose to skip over a generation and came to you instead, but I think you'll do good with it," Dulio smiled at the red-faced Xenovia. Being praised by the Strongest Exorcist was such an experience.

Griselda gritted her teeth, "Why are you saying that as if Durandal is sentient? Durandal is not. Please stop giving Xenovia wild ideas about it."

"Eh? Did I say something like that…? I did, didn't I? Well, don't worry too much about it. Sentient or not, in the end, it's in your hand."

A moment later, the Cardinal Priest of Vatican Vasco Strada entered the room. For Xenovia, this was the first time she met him personally, the last time she saw him was when she received Durandal, and even then it was mostly ceremonial. It might not be showing on her face, but inside, she was a nervous wreck. In front of her was the past user of Durandal, someone whom she needed to surpass as the current wielder.

"Ah, Griselda, Dulio, good. Hm? Durandal-user?" Vasco eyed Griselda.

"Yes, well, forgive me if it's too presumptuous. Xenovia here had quite the imagination saying that Durandal is sentient. I am sure as the previous wielder, you can shed a light on her before our meeting began."

"Hmm," Vasco adopted a thinking pose, "how should I say it… saying that Durandal is sentient is not right, but saying it's a normal sword is not right either. You know that Durandal chose its wielder right? I don't know the exact mechanics, but our Lord put some kind of… will? It is seeking the fitting partner of the current generation, and will always be with them, unless it senses a stronger potential wielder, like what happened to Xenovia here, then it will be hers."

Griselda could not say anything.

"Excuse me," Xenovia's usual stoic voice was nowhere to be heard. When she uttered those words, her voice was as soft as silk, "if it were not too much trouble, can you tell me how to communicate with it better?"

To say that she was intimidated by the towering figure in front of her was an understatement.

"Treat it like it's your partner. It has quite a superiority complex, especially towards a new wielder like you. I still remember clearly when I was handed it by the previous wielder, boy it was hard to crack the shell around its heart."

"I see… thank you," Xenovia bowed her head in respect.

Griselda sighed in defeat, "now you have your answer Xenovia. You're dismissed."

Xenovia nodded and left the room. Leaving the three to be debriefed by Vasco.

"What's the matter, old man?" Dulio asked Vasco.

"Griselda, you miss Asia don't you?"

"Eh?" she tilted her head in confusion, "I did say that before… why?"

"Dulio, explain."

Said man just sighed in resignation, "Griselda, Asia is fine. She's now in Japan, being taken care by someone I quite trust."

"Really?"

Like Dulio, she also cared greatly for the former nun. However, unlike Dulio who saw her as a little sister, she saw her as a daughter figure not unlike Xenovia. Of course when the news about her whereabouts was known, she would jump at the chance to see her again.

"Wait," her face adopted a scowl, "who's taking care of her?"

"That's the thing," Dulio got a sheepish expression on his handsome face, "I kinda forgot to ask his address. I just know his general area. And I also forgot to give him my contact info, so I can't contact him either."

"I was hoping that you can find the residence of Hyoudou Issei and then give him Dulio's number. That way, knowing Asia's condition can be done anytime. Though international calling is expensive…"

"I'll do it! Just give me the general area and information about this Hyoudou Issei! In fact, do it quickly so I won't miss the plane to Japan!"

After meeting the Cardinal Priest Vasco Strada, Xenovia went back to the training ground. The words from the Cardinal Priest floating around inside her mind. Be Durandal's partner, huh? Could she do it? Well, no use worrying about it without doing anything. She should try to be Durandal's partner first.

…

…

How?

She halted as her mind could not determine the course of action needed to be Durandal's partner. Being raised in church and being prepared to be exorcist did not come with the instruction to wield Durandal.

Oh well, maybe spending time with Durandal would work.

"Saint Peter. Saint Basil the Great. Saint Denis. Holy-mother Mary. Please hear my voice. In the name of the saint whom reside within this blade, please come, Durandal."

She put her hand inside the distorted space beside her. Due to Durandal's immense strength, one could not easily bring it anywhere with her, especially since she was a total newbie in using it. So Griselda sealed it in a pocket dimension for her.

After bringing out the sword from the pocket dimension, Xenovia swung it lightly to take a feel. It was still as hard as before to wield it.

"Fuuuu…"

Taking a deep breath, Xenovia entered the stance that Griselda had taught her long time ago. Gripping Durandal with both her hands, Xenovia released her breath with a shout while slashing the air.

"Haaaa!"

She repeated the motion with some variation for about fifteen minutes before the door to the training ground was opened.

"Excuse me. I booked this training ground from 12 PM to 3 PM."

A voice startled her swung and due to the momentum, Xenovia fell to the ground.

"Ah…" she looked at the time displayed by the clock above the door. True enough, it was five minutes after twelve o'clock. She brushed the dust around her butt before she bowed her head.

"I'm sorry I did not realize the time," she turned up her head to see whose time had she wasted. Imagine her surprise when she found the tall and muscular figure of William Orwell, the renowned priest, exorcist, mercenary, knight, and hero. Even now she could not understand how he got mercenary and knight together on his infamous title. On his hand, he was gripping a huge sword exceeding three meters in length. To Xenovia, the sword was a beautiful piece of art that was just slightly topped by Durandal on her hand.

The figure of William Orwell stared at her eyes. It actually made her uncomfortable, the stoic look on his face was even more stoic than her. His eyes then trailed downwards to the sword in Xenovia's hand. He raised his brow when he saw it.

"So this is the legendary Durandal who skipped over a generation, huh?"

Seeing the intimidating figure in front of her, she then thought that maybe he was one of the candidates meant to wield Durandal before her, but Durandal did not chose anyone in his generation.

Xenovia just nodded at the question, and excuse herself. The man –William Orwell– just acknowledged her with a nod before he went to the middle of the training ground.

Before closing the door, Xenovia actually hesitated to do it. She saw the huge sword on his hand, and how easy he wielded it. She knew about the infamous William Orwell, therefore she knew that the sword on his hand was Ascalon, the Dragon Slayer sword. Admittedly, she didn't know much about it except the legend, but for it to fall on his hand meant that he knew how to wield it, right?

Xenovia decided.

She opened the door again and came running towards the moving figure.

"Excuse me, Mr. William Orwell."

He dropped his stance and faced her.

"Please teach me how to be a partner of a sword."

The sound of the cashier machine ringing as the customer finished paying for the item they bought came into Raynare's ears. She smiled at the leaving customer, and the customer replied back, before she scowled at him from behind.

Did he think she wouldn't notice him leering at her? Disgusting. This was why she did not want to take a job involving humans. But what could she do to gain money except this? She hated humans. She hated the way they depended on currency.

And most importantly, she hated herself for doing this.

Her attention went back to the cashier as another customer brought the item they wanted to buy to the cashier.

This was her life now.

"Welcome, please put the items here to make it easier," she gestured to the vacant space between the barcode reader and the computer.

"Huh? Who would have thought you'd be working here?"

She froze.

That voice…

When she glanced at the customer's face, an amused face of Hyoudou Issei greeted her. This fucking guy…

"What do you want?" she rudely asked him.

The man shook his head, "Nothing. I'm just glad seeing you like this."

She took one of the item, a snack, and scanned it using the barcode reader, "It's not like I'm enjoying this, you know. I need the money."

He nodded in understanding, "I see, I see."

The occasional beeping sound of the barcode being scanned was interrupted when Issei spoke to her.

"Hey, you might think of it as nothing, or you might deny it altogether, but I haven't said my thanks to you for last week so, thank you."

She snorted, "Sure whatever. Do know that it's not my intention to help you."

"So we're friends?"

"No. Who wants to be a friend with a pervert like you? Anyway, here," she gave Issei the items that had been packed, "the total is 823 yen."

Issei gave the money and accepted the items.

"Thanks, Raynare."

"My name is Amano Yuuma, idiot. Don't you see my nametag?"

She saw Issei glanced at her chest… she doubted the pervert saw her nametag and instead, focused his attention on her assets.

"Eyes up, perv. And go away, there's a line behind you."

"Yeah yeah," he replied and went away.

However, as he opened the door, he dropped the bag on his hand, and he went down on a knee. Of course it attracted the attention of everyone in the convenience store.

"Oi, you're okay there?" Raynare called out from the cashier.

"I'm okay, I'm okay, it's just suddenly my body feels faint."

The Boosted Gear wielder left the convenience store. Raynare got no time to watch him because the line was quite long.

"Next, please."

As Issei arrived at his destination, that was, Rena's house, the feeling he got on the convenience store came back. Issei clutched his head, suddenly his body feels light.

Issei was at Rena's house for the newly dubbed 'Operation Enter Kuoh Academy', which was basically he, Motohama, Matsuda, and Rena tutored each other. Although, Rena was the one doing the tutoring most of time.

Rena's grade was the best amongst the four of them, with only English holding her back. Motohama was surprisingly good with Math, but below average in others. Matsuda was average, considering he spent most of his time on baseball club. And Issei, well, replace Math with English and his grade was similar to Motohama.

When he entered the living room of Sakurazuki household, he was greeted by the sight of Motohama and Matsuda scribbling something on paper, with Rena overseeing them. Rena seemed to have felt his presence, because she greeted him.

"Hei, Hyoudou-kun."

Issei just raised his hand in recognition, "Here's the snack."

Instantly Motohama and Matsuda stopped doing whatever they were doing.

"Finally!"

"You're late!"

They immediately went to grab the plastic bag that Issei held on his hand.

"What the hell?! I'm the one who spent my energy walking from here to the convenience store! At least let me recover my wasted energy first!"

"It's your fault that you lost the rock paper scissor!"

"Yeah! Now give me that!"

The sight of three middle school boy basically playing tug of war using the plastic bag containing the snack they wanted to eat appeared in front of Rena. She found them amusing.

"Now now, guys. Who said that you can eat that now? Motohama-kun, Matsuda-kun, finish your assignment first," said perverts just muttered yes and went back to doing the assignment she had given them lifelessly. Meanwhile, Issei pumped his fist. "That goes for you too, Hyoudou-kun. You need to help us cover the English subject first before you can eat the snack."

Instantly he went to Motohama's side and started writing something on a paper lifelessly.

She couldn't help it, the way their mood instantly changed made her laugh.

Motohama, Issei, and Matsuda turned their heads only to see their first female friend laughing on the floor. They tilted their head, not understanding what she found funny. Judging from her look, it was also very funny. The three looked at each other, and shrugged, before they went back to doing their own things.

It was not even a moment later that Matsuda's pencil broke.

"Uh, Sakurazuki-san, do you have a sharpener?"

"It's on my pencil case, you won't miss it," Sakurazuki also went back to oversee the three of them.

"Thanks," Matsuda said as his hand rummaged Rena's pink pencil case.

Issei was concentrating on finishing the assignment that Rena gave, for today, they will cover Science and English, so the overseer was Rena and Issei. As he continued thinking about the formula needed to answer the question on the paper, the sound of Matsuda sharpening his pencil entered Issei's ear.

"Thanks again, Sakurazuki-san," Matsuda said after he finished sharpening his pencil.

Out of relief because he wouldn't hear the annoying sound again, Issei glanced at Matsuda.

He jumped in fright.

"Wha!"

His heartbeat rose. His breath became erratic. His eyes widened and his pupil shrunk as if he was scared of something.

"Ise?"

"Ise?"

"Hyoudou-kun?"

Three pair of concerned eyes looked straight at him. Issei put his hand on where his heart was, and tried to calm his breath. His eyes scanned his surroundings, searching for the unknown threat that made him jumped in fright.

What was that? Issei thought frantically.

As he realized that he was inside Rena's house, and there was nothing threatening him, Issei let out a deep breath.

"Sorry," he said with a sigh.

"What was that, Ise?"

"Don't scare us like that."

"Yeah, I thought there were bugs or something."

Issei stared at Rena for a moment, "…there were, Sakurazuki-san."

"Kyaaa!" Rena instantly jumped to the sofa.

Issei eyed Motohama and Matsuda. Both of them got the message and the three laughed seeing Rena whimpering on the sofa. It took Rena a while before she realized Issei was scaring her. When she did, she glared at Issei.

"W-Well, Sakurazuki-san, do-don't be that angry, that was just a payback for earlier! Just a payback!"

"Jerk!" Rena threw the book she was holding to Issei. Issei ducked, and the book somehow found its place on Matsuda's face.

"Ouch, goddammit Ise!" Matsuda threw his book to Issei.

"What the hell?! Why are you throwing it at me!" Issei shouted as he dodged the book again. Issei picked a book and threw it to Matsuda, but somehow it hit Motohama. Was his aim that bad?

"Now you've done it, Ise!"

As Motohama was about to throw another book, his head was hit from behind by Rena. Motohama just cursed and threw his book to Issei.

"Me again?!"

"How can I purposely hurt Sakurazuki-san you idiot?!"

"That's sexist! Sakurazuki-san! Tell him that he's wrong!"

Rena just smiled seeing the chaos in front of her eyes. To her, this was how friendship should be. Having fun together…

"What's the ruckus here?"

From behind, her mother stepped into the living room, and saw the mess that the four middle schooler created.

"You three! What an ungrateful children?! You've been accepted here with my hospitality and you dare mock me?!"

"She drew the first blood!"

"She drew the first blood!"

"She drew the first blood!"

…okay, she knew that the none of the three was placed within the top ten the smartest guy in her middle school. But even the most idiotic person would realize that blaming the daughter of the house owner would backfire on them, even if it was the truth.

In retaliation, she just smiled innocently at her mother, whose expression rapidly change between fury, concern, disgust, and had she mentioned fury? Well, she did draw the first blood, with throwing her book to Issei, so before her mother can rant about delinquents, bad influences, no manners, ungrateful children, and her baby girl, ew, she hated the last part, she cut her mother's words that was on the tip of her tongue.

"Mother. I did throw the book first."

"What are you saying sweetheart? You don't need to defend these… these… these brat!" she emphasized on the 'brat', as if it was some kind of insult. Well, she thought. If it was thrown to a barely teenager who has issues with authority like the three, and judging by the look on their face, it was insulting enough for them.

Oh, and looking at her mother funny face, it was worth it to instigate the fight.

Slowly, she shook her head.

"I know you don't like them," her mother winced at her bluntness in front of them. "And I'm pretty sure they know it," judging by the almost unnoticeable nod on Issei's head, she was quite correct. "But what I'm saying is the truth. I instigate the fight. It was fun while it lasted."

Okay maybe the last part was unnecessary, but like before, seeing the funny face her mother expressed like it was impossible to comprehend that her precious daughter thought a barbarian rituals of throwing things to assert superiority to be fun.

Suddenly, she was glad being friends with the three idiots.

Trying to regain her footing because the ball dropped by her daughter had thrown her off balance, one Sakurazuki Rika just glared at the three delinquents who invaded her baby girl's personal space in the name of studying before she went back to her rooms.

After Rena's mother went away, Issei, Motohama, Matsuda, and Rena stared at each other before laughter could be heard from the living room of Sakurazuki household.

Evening came, and as their tutoring session for today was finished, the three non-resident of Sakurazuki household was preparing themselves to go home. Issei was collecting his books which at one point thrown to every corner of the living room. Motohama helped Issei because his books which at one point spread at every corner of the living room was mixed with Issei. Matsuda who brought the least item already on his shoes in the front door. As for Rena, she was trying to make them eat dinner there.

"Come on, Hyoudou-kun, Motohama-kun, at least stay for dinner."

Bringing another book to be collected from under the table, Issei shook his head, "We don't want to intrude your family dinner."

"Three sessions of tutoring, and your excuse is always the same. Please, Hyoudou-kun, Motohama-kun, do it for me as your friend?"

Motohama made the mistake to look at her face. While Rena thought her look was average, on the students' eyes it was not. She was incredibly cute. And the way she asked them to have dinner with her made her looked even cuter than usual. His mouthed opened, ready to answer a cute girl's plea.

"Sakurazuki-san. That look may work on Motohama because he never saw any cute girls all his life. But if you think that you can enthrall me with your cute look, then you're mistaken!"

She just laughed. That was right. She laughed.

One of the difference between Rena and other girls her age was that, she laughed. While other girls tried to be cute by giggling and whatever the hell they did to be cute, Rena never tried to be cute. Every time she did something cute was unconsciously like just now.

Well, the first time they conversed, she giggled. And the heavenly sound of her giggle soothed the heart of Issei, Motohama, and Matsuda. But over time, she stopped giggling and started to outright laughing with them.

To the three, laughing together with a friend like her was better than hearing any heavenly giggle.

Issei and Motohama looked at each other, before they smiled at Rena.

"Maybe we'll take that offer later."

"Yeah. See you, Sakurazuki-san."

"Okay then. Are you sure you don't need me to escort you to the front door?"

Issei laughed a little, "Yeah, it's going to be hard for Matsuda."

Rena titled her head in confusion. She did not understand why Issei brought up Matsuda all of sudden.

"Don't mind him," Motohama reply. The two then went to the front door where Matsuda waited for them. The three then left Sakurazuki household together.

"Was it so hard to say your goodbye to Sakurazuki-san, Matsuda?" Motohama brought up the reason for Matsuda's absence when Issei and him said their goodbye with a devious grin on his face.

"Shut up!" Matsuda replied with a red face. "You're not the one who finds her attractive!"

"Well, we do. I mean, Sakurazuki-san is cute. She's kind. She's awesome. We understand, Matsuda," Issei interjected, also with a grin. "It's just we don't have a crush on her."

"I'm not! I don't have a crush on anyone!"

"Well, we didn't say anything about you having crush on anyone, Matsuda."

"The fact that you brought it up just makes us more suspicious of you."

"Aaargggh! I don't want to have a heart to heart in a time like this!" Matsuda ran, leaving Issei and Motohama who laughed at his embarrassed expression. Truly, annoying each other was fun.

"Well then, Ise. I think this is the time when we part for the day," Motohama said when he realized he was at the intersection near his house.

"Yeah," Issei waved his hand at the retreating figure of Motohama. Usually the first to part ways was Motohama because his house is nearest from Rena's house, and then Matsuda, before Issei arrived at his house as his house is the farthest from Rena's. But since Matsuda ran away earlier, Issei was alone on his way home. Normally, this wasn't a problem. However, Issei forgot something.

"Ouch!"

Issei fell to his knee. His hand let loose the bag he carried, and clutched his head.

"This again? Ugh, I feel lightheaded. What's happening?"

Well, Issei looked back to the last month of his life while collecting his bag. There was nothing worth mentioning in the last month. He just helped Asia, Kunou-chan, saved by Seekvaira, saved Asia with Raynare's help, that was it.

"Meh, maybe I just need some rest."

His eyesight flickered. He could not keep focus of the sight in front of his eyes. Somehow they were shaking. But for the lane and houses to be shaking was impossible except when earthquakes happened. Was there an earthquake?

"Eh?"

Issei fell unconscious and his body fell with a thud.

Looking out to the night sky from the window beside his desk, Detective Uchimaku Hayabusa from Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department sighed in resignation. His desk was full of unchecked paperwork. Taking a sip of his coffee, he lamented.

"Come on, the reason why I put myself to be field investigator is because I don't want to deal with this kind of work. Why the hell did my boss assigned this to me?"

The paperwork that his superior assigned to him was the reports of several cases in the past two weeks. He had to check them all, and make a summary before presenting it to his superior.

When he was about to continue checking the paperwork, his phone vibrated.

"Huh, who would call me this late at night?" he saw the name on his phone and to his surprise it was the eccentric doctor.

"Good evening, Tsubaki-san. Is there a reason why you're calling me this late?"

"Ah, Uchimaku-kun, I'm just a little lonely."

"I doubt it. You're not the type to do socializing just because you're lonely. So what do you want to tell me? Or ask me?"

"Maa, maa, Uchimaku-kun. How rude. This is why you don't have a girlfriend. You need to be more considerate to other people."

"I should be the one saying that to you!"

"Hahaha, but seriously, Uchimaku-kun. I just want to say thank you for using my service these past three years."

"Huh? Are you going somewhere with this?"

"Correct. Several days ago, I got an offer from a private corporation to be the head of Research and Development Division. I have already accepted the offer and my work starts tomorrow. So unfortunately I can't do any work for the police anymore. That's one of the condition for me to accept the offer. That's why, for the past three years, thank you for using my service."

"You're welcome, Tsubaki-san. We from the police department also thank you for your service. Without your expertise, who knows how many case would still be mysteries."

"Oh yeah, there's also another reason for my call. Just yesterday I visited the forensic lab of the police department to borrow something, imagine my surprise when I recognizes a sample of blood and saw the report for them. Remember the kid you picked up to see me? That's his blood alright. The foreign chemical formula that I still don't know is still there. From what I saw in the report, a large amount of his blood is found and is going to be used as an evidence for vandalism and destruction of public properties. I suggest you look this up and help the kid. God knows how Japanese people loves normalcy, and the kid's life will stop being normal the moment polices detains him and the fact is publicized."

"I see… I will look into it, thank you for telling me this."

"Try to help the kid. He helped you before, right?"

And with that, the eccentric doctor ended the call.

That boy, huh? If he remembered it correctly, his name was Hyoudou Issei. He had been the next victim of the serial killer in Akihabara. At least, until one morning when he came and the receptionist got a message for him.

'What belongs to that side comes back to that side,' it said. 'Former next victim,' it continued.

He knew the message was from him. But he was dying to know about what happened. He wanted to come to his house and get the details, but works from higher ups swamped him and without him realizing, it already had been more than two weeks. True to his words, the serial killing died down, and soon Akihabara was flooded by people again. It went back to normal without people ever knowing the horror that once terrorized the people.

He didn't know for sure if that Hyoudou Issei is the one responsible for stopping the serial killing, but for him to be the one sending him the message, he must had been involved in whatever happened.

"Let's see," he skimmed the reports, scanning for any case of destruction of public properties and vandalism. After five minutes of searching, he found it.

"Hmm," he muttered as he read the report thoroughly. "There was a large amount of blood, but the charges are destruction of private properties and vandalism. This looks like some kind of joke. Large amount of blood means wounds. That means he's a victim. Goddamn that kid sure has it rough." Being two victims of two different case was unusual, and this kid did it. "Anyway, let's bring this up to Mishima-san. I'll persuade him to let me take over this case. That way, I'll get to interrogate him and then I will get the full story of the Akihabara serial killer's identities."

"Hayabusa, I truly should thank you."

After ending the call, Doctor Tsubaki talked to himself while analysing a vial of transparent liquid.

"After all, without you and your explanation, my eyes will still be closed towards them. Without you, they will not notice me."

He put back the vial to its place.

Looking over the lab that he had been using since over eight years, he smiled to himself.

"Time to pack things up."

More than two hours passed with him packing the essential things that he owned and not what the hospital owned.

"Done. I can't believe my personal things is just my papers and samples. Everything is owned by the hospital. Oh well, I bet their labs will be more resourceful than this."

A knock at the door, signalling his last moment in this lab.

"I'll miss this lab."

Opening the door, he was greeted by a man in black suits.

"Greetings, doctor. I am tasked in helping you bringing your belongings to the car prepared in the front."

"Nah, no need. I'll bring it myself. An uncouth person like you wouldn't know how to handle the belongings of someone like me."

If he paid more attention to his surroundings, he would see a vein popped in the head of the man who walked behind him.

"We thank you for accepting our offer."

"I don't care. As long as I get better labs and access to samples for more research, even working for a criminal organization like yours is acceptable."

With that, the eccentric doctor looked back at the hospital building that had become his home for the past eight years.

Goodbye, light.

He then focused on the black car in front of him.

He smiled.

Welcome, darkness.

Chapter XIV
A Light-hearted Tutoring Session

A/N: Why hello, it's been a while. This is the next instalment of Pawn. This covers the follow up of the previous arc and the start of the new arc. What do you think about it? This chapter is beta-ed by Bigreader in the Omniverse. Without him this will be worse than it is now.

I truly have no talent in writing vague scene, the God's Right Seat part is the worst part in this chapter. And what I like is the Xenovia part, any of you fans of her, are you satisfied? And then we get slice of life scene which I stuck as I have said in the previous chapter. Seriously, for some reason it needs like three rewrites. And then we got Hayabusa the detective and Tsubaki the eccentric doctor. Do you think those two are only one off character? What do you think will happen in next chapter?

For those who noticed, yes, I said William Orwell got Ascalon, and is famous for it. As he's an expy from TAMnI, the big Ascalon he wields come from TAMnI, so where's DxD's Ascalon? Don't worry, I got a plan for that. I made it like that because well, TAMnI's Ascalon is a trademark of him, and because it's fucking cool. For you who want to know the details, just search for Ascalon in TAMnI wikia.

Anyway, several days ago I watched Horizon anime, after I delayed it for more than one year. I want to get into the series but as I read the novel I can't understand anything, so I thought the anime is a good medium for a new reader to enter.

What a fun ride it was. Kawakami is on another level. If Kamachi is a program, then Kawakami is a superior program with how he wrote that thick book you call light novel and release it in the same timeframe as average LN writer release their light novels. Seriously, I've seen the physical copy of Horizon novel, and it's like two or three light novel stacked as comparison. And also, Toori is a magnificent useless awesome bastard of a leader, at least in the anime, don't spoil anything to me!

So, I pray for ideas to come sooner to me.

-KurobaraIto