Issei Hyoudou was a lucky devil.

Not only did he pull off a clutch performance at the Gremory-Bael Rating Game, but he was able to proclaim his love for his master, Rias Gremory, in front of thousands. All of his doubts, gone, in the blink of an eye. He was free to follow his path towards the title of harem king.

Curious to hone his newly acquired form, the Red Dragon Emperor decided to start off his day with a quick training session. While heading down to the basement section of his residence, he heard heavy breathing from one of the training rooms. Once he arrived, Issei started shaking his head as if he should have known who it was all along.

"Hey, Xenovia," Issei said with a grin. "What's up?"

"Just practicing my strikes with Ex-Durandal," Xenovia replied stoically while finessing her swordsmanship, earning a nod from Issei. He crossed his arms and smiled even harder.

"You are always trying your best to be stronger... I like that about you." Issei briefly shielded his eyes from the winds that Xenovia conjured with a swing of her Holy Sword.

Xenovia rested her Ex-D, and met her eyes with the brunette's warm gaze, matching his mood with a small smile of her own. "Well ever since that Rating Game, it has come to my attention that I need to do a better job of protecting myself and my friends," she said, while her smile slowly faded. "I should have defeated Sai—"

"Ah, don't worry about that!" Issei said with assurance, giving the Knight a gentle pat on her back. "You did great, honestly. Without you, I would have had problems defeating Sairaorg. And most of all, President was pleased! Seeing her happy makes me feel like a good man of hers, you know?"

Xenovia's eyes widened after hearing Issei mention Rias in such an intimate manner. Even though Irina and Xenovia played the roles of wingmen in Issei's quest for Rias' heart, the bluenette was still adamant in earning a spot in the Sekiryuutei's heart. She had planned for Issei to focus more on his harem once he started dating Rias. Instead, he did the opposite. Well, to her, atleast. The Holy Sword wielder came to a saddening conclusion. In the race for Issei's heart...

"...I am dead last," muttered Xenovia, transitioning herself out of her thoughts. With a shadowed expression of her eyes, Xenovia released her grip on her weapon, and began to walk away from Issei, who could only react with a simple "hm?"

Bewildered by Xenovia's sudden demeanor, Issei casually stops her with a hand to her shoulder, oblivious to the mood he just set.

"Uh, what's wrong?"