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The Realms Beyond – New Surroundings

-DXD World-

"Don't mean to be disrespectful Rias, but do you really have to sneak into my bed and sleep naked?"

Issei made a frantic whisper as he was walking beside Rias on the way to school known as Kuoh Academy. From what he was told, it was an all-girl private school before it chanced into a co-ed school. Rias and her peerage made use of the old-school building as their base under the guise of a school club known as the Occult Research Club.

He was wearing the Academy's male uniform that Rias provided him while the others wore their own respective set. The only difference with him that the blazer was open and underneath was a red t-shirt.

Apparently, Rias used her connections and magic to have him transferred as a 2nd year student and made the cover story known to all. It is yet to be seen what would be the reaction of everyone in the school when they know who he is.

"It an habit of mine. I can't sleep well if I am not naked. What wrong Issei? I thought you would love seeing me?"

"Not like that Rias. I am alright being beside you, but I am not someone who look at women as mere objects. They should be treated with respect." Issei spoke in haste to the crimson-haired girl.

She made giggle at his response, "Looks like being raised at that academy though you how to treat a girl properly."

"It is also common sense and morality." He spoke as he kept on walking alongside Rias towards Kuoh. He thought as they walked to their destination.

'I wonder what school life is like? Hope it would be more interesting than in the Wu Shi Academy. Then again, I am not sure about my academic skills will cut it here."

It was then they all reached the gates of Kuoh Academy which Issei could see it was a combination of eastern and western design. In the courtyard, there were many students chatting as they made their way to class; wearing uniforms that matches their gender.

The feeling of the gazes of many eyes is apparent to Issei for the students were watching the group as they reached the school's gate

"It's Rias-oneesama! But who is beside her?"

"He looks ordinary, but he gives a strange feeling…"

"Why is he walking beside her?"

Issei merely ignored the muttering of the students as he split up from Rias and the others. He nodded when Rias said she will have someone pick him up latter.

-DXD World, Kuoh Academy-

It was then he arrived at his classroom and as a new student, the teacher introduced introduced himself much to the surprise of the students. Issei could hear the whispering about him among the students. It wasn't surprising since he was missing for many years and reappeared. Based on the look however, the cover story Rias provided seems to be working.

Through the day, Issei was adapting to the ongoing events in Kuoh. In class, he tried his best in troublesome courses like Math and History; which he didn't learn much from the Wu Shi Academy. However, in Physical Education, he excelled much to the shock of both the students and teachers.

Issei was surprised that becoming popular with the girls after seeing his skills and finesse in martial arts when he practiced during his free time. His popularity also increased when he ended up employing it when dealing with two students who were peeping outside the girl's changing room of the Kendo Club and coldly remarked that girls are not objects before leaving them for the girls to have their share in punishing them.

After school has ended, Issei was packing up when he heard girls squeal in joy in the classroom and from the corridor. He turned and saw it was Kiba, who greeted him.

"Hello Issei. How are you fitting in?"

"I am doing fine. Do you need anything?"

"Yes. I came here under Rias-sempai's order. Please follow me."

He merely nodded and was about to get up when he heard the girls mutter about him and Kiba. He could tell Kiba was very popular with the girls, but he never expected himself to share the same status.

"Kiba-kun walking with the mysterious Hyoudou!"

"I heard that Hyoudou personally beat up the Perverted Duo when they were peeking again!"

"I actually him do it! His martial arts were incredible!"

Issei sighed as he walked behind Kiba, not giving much attention to the chatter of the girls. He followed all the way to the back of the school and before his eyes was an old two-story building surrounded by the forest.

Kiba explained that it was the old Kuoh school building from long ago before the current school building was constructed. When the two went inside, Issei was surprised that the interior was kept in good condition despite the building be abandoned.

Issei was soon led to a classroom which the door had a sign that said, "Occult Research Club".

"Buchou. I brought him."

"Come in."

The two came in and were in a modest room with Victorian-style chairs and sofas. In the center of the room was a symbol which Issei couldn't recognize, but could feel a magical aura from. On one side of the room was a desks with some shacks of sheets and the other side was a shower.

The latter which Issei quickly turned his head away from with a blush after noticing a shadow of a girl behind the curtain. 'Why is there a shower in a classroom?!'

He then noticed Koneko sitting on one of the sofas, eating some sweets. From what he heard, she is seen as the school's mascot due to how cute she was.

"Nice to see you again."

"I can say the same thing Koneko."

After their greeting, there was the sound of the shower stopping, but Issei refused to turn his head to the scene out of modesty. He was unaware of Koneko giving her silent approval of his action; already hearing what he did to the Perverted Duo during school.

"Buchou, please take this."

"Thank you, Akeno."

Rias then changed to her uniform behind the curtain and got out of the shower. She noticed Issei looking at the opposite direction and giggled.

"You live up what you say about yourself Ise. Treating girls with respect…"

"If you put a shower in the classroom as a test Rias, then I passed and yet not amused. I also don't mind calling me with such a name." Issei spoke as he turned his head towards Rias and Akeno.

"Ara ara, that is quite true after hearing what happen to the Perverted Duo."

"Ugh. Are those two that infamous around here…?"

"Rightfully so."

Issei nodded his head as he took a seat on one of the sofas while everyone else did the same. Rias then refreshed his memory about Devils, Angels and Fallen Angels along with some information about Sacred Gears, like Boosted Gear within Issei.

He made a small smile as he listened to the devils shifted the subject to what they did today. While the Wu Shi Academy was his home for most of his life, he always wondered about the life he could have if Shang Tsung never appeared.

Now in back in the world he was born in, Issei now has the chance to at least enjoy some aspects of such a peaceful life.

-DXD World, Park, Few Days Later-

"Very peaceful here... Much like in the Wu Shi Academy."

Issei was currently sitting on a bench in the town's park with a large bag with him. He was clearing his mind after another debacle with the so-called Perverted Duo at the end of school. Apparently, they thought the element of surprise would give them the advantage in getting revenge for the peeking incident and making him lose face among the girls.

Oblivious, it didn't work on Issei due to his extensive training and he made quick work with them and ended up becoming more popular with the girls who watched the one-sided beatdown.

While he time-to-time communicate with Rias and her peerage, he doesn't get involve with their business. Issei remember that a few times Rias spoke of the benefits her peerage enjoy, but he knew a ploy and always politely reject her offer.

'Rias… I wish you respect my wish of retaining my humanity.' Issei mentally sighed as he watches the people that walk pass him and the children at the playground, he ended up being deep in thought and quickly shook his head.

"I shouldn't be thinking like this…" He recalled the times he played in the very with his parents, which soon brought forth painful memories of losing them.

Just as he was about to get off the bench and leave, he heard a sound behind and quickly turned.

"Hawau!"

Issei watched as a young girl dressed like a nun fall face first to the ground. He quickly went to her side and give his hand to help her up.

"You're okay?"

"I'm alright. Thank you very much."

Just as he got the girl back on her feet, a breeze blew the veil on her head away and he found himself mesmerize by her long beautiful blond hair and innocent face.

"Is there something wrong?" The young girl spoke with a worried tone as she noticed Issei gaze at her face.

Issei quickly realize what he was doing and apologize to her, which she made a smile and remarked how humble he was. He learned that she was appointed to a church in the town and had trouble finding directions due to her poor skill in speaking Japanese.

Lucky for her, Issei was taught in speaking multiple languages back in the Wu Shi Academy. In English, he told her about an old church that he saw a day ago and could lead her there. The girl in turn was very happy of his gesture and was eager to follow him.

It was then they heard a cry of young boy with his mum they walk towards the church. He was holding his knee, which likely mean that he tripped and hurt himself. Issei watched as the girl approached to boy, who spoke kindly and patted his head.

Then much to Issei's surprise, he noticed a green light emitting from the girl's hands when she touches his knee and witnessed the injury disappearing.

"A sacred gear…" Issei muttered out quietly as the boy thanked the girl. Seeing that the girl wasn't sure what the boy said, he translated the statement for her. The girl in return made a smile when the boy said thank you.

"You have a special gift don't you?" While Issei could see that the girl with him has a healing-based sacred gear, he felt it wasn't the time and place to discuss such matters in detail.

"Yes, it is a healing power that God gave me." The girl spoke in a somewhat sad tone despite making a smile. Deciding not to pursue the matter further, Issei chose to lead the girl to church and they arrived a few minutes.

"Here we are. Is that what you are looking for?"

"Yes! Thank you!"

The young girl said in relief after checking her map to confirm it was the right location.

While the church was a bit rundown and seemed quiet, Issei had a strange feeling that something was off within its walls.

He was hoping he was wrong since he had to go and part ways with the girl.

"I am sorry, but I have to be on my way."

"Please wait!"

Despite her wished to thank you for taking her to the church, Issei insist that he had to go and instead told her his name.

"The name is Issei Hyoudou, but you may call me Ise. Would you mind to tell me you name?"

"My name is Asia Argento! Call me Asia please!"

After that very moment, Issei can't help but feel it was a fateful day that he met the innocent young girl that was Asia.

However, a hidden figure glanced through the church's window with a sinister smile as it watches Issei walk away.

-DXD World, Park, Nighttime-

Issei was currently looking at the night sky as he walked through the park once more. A few moments ago, he ended up meeting up with Rias and told him of his meeting with Asia. He recalled the conversation regarding the meeting.

"I would appreciate it that you don't get a near the church again."

"Rias, I am a human. I am not a devil or in your peerage, so those warnings don't apply to me."

"If anyone from the Church sees you with us, they would see you as an associate of devils and will be treated as such."

"Don't worry about me. I can take care of myself."

He sighed as he remembered the warning that Rias told him. He understands her concerns for his safety, but he wasn't a devil or part of her peerage. If he gets into trouble, he would be merely a human who was at the wrong place at the wrong time.

As he reached the fountain in the center of the park, he found himself remembering his childhood of walking with his parents and playing with his friends once more.

Just as he shook his head to clear his head, he noticed a figure that was on the other side of the fountain and decided to take a look who it was.

Issei saw it was a young attractive girl with long black hair and wore a purple shirt along with a black shirt. She was sitting at the edge of the mountain, but Issei felt there was something strange about her.

His left hand started to tingle and realized that Ddraig was warning him of getting to close to her. Issei nevertheless still approached the girl, but with more caution.

It was then the girl turned her head towards him and was startled of his appearance. From what Issei could tell, she was paying attention to her surroundings.

Like she was keeping a lookout for something…

"Don't mind me. I am just passing by…"

Despite Issei's reply, he saw that the girl was studying him from the way he was gazing at him.

"Meeting you at a time like this…"

She muttered out with a fearful tone in her voice.

As Issei was processing what the girl said, he felt his instincts flare up. But it was telling him that something was not heading for him, but for the girl.

He gripped his bag as he quickly shoved the girl, much to her shock. Moments later, a projectile then struck the place the girl once sat at.

Much to Issei's surprise, it was a spear made of light that vanished seconds later.

"So you managed to help from a human… I have to admit that is impressive…"

Issei and the girl turned towards the direction the projectile came from and saw it was a middle-aged man wearing trenchcoat and a fedora. However, the most eerie aspect of the man was that his iris's had an unnatural green glow.

"Dohnaseek…"

The girl spoke with even more fear in her voice than before as the man made a sinister smile.

"You shouldn't have rejected our rightful master Raynare. Now there is no escape for you this time…"

It was then he heard a notching of a bow. He turned to see Issei aiming his bow at him with an arrow ready to fire. After seeing Dohnaseek, he quickly took out his bow and quivers from his bag and quickly armed himself.

Issei spoke without fear as he kept his bow aimed at the enemy before him.

"I don't know who you are, but you have to get through me first…"

Author's Note:

Its been a long time since I got back to this story and I apologize to those who read this story. I haven't been very motivated in writing this story like I used to do since I begun to write "Dragonborn and Vanadis".

I am free for the rest of the summer and would spend time on my stories, but "Dragonborn and Vanadis" is currently my favorite story to write and would the one that I will be focusing on.

Truth be told, I am not sure if I want to continue to write "The Realms Beyond" or not. If I still continue to write this story, then it may not be as long like the rest of my stories chapter-wise. If I do indeed cancel this story, I will leave it up nevertheless since it was my early attempts to writing fanfiction after all.