A few days had already passed since the second term began after summer break. Rumor had it that a transfer student would be joining our class today... Where do people even get this kind of info?
Morning homeroom started, and our teacher wasted no time bringing up the news.
"Well, it's a bit of an odd time, but we have a new transfer student joining our class. She's a returnee from overseas, but her Japanese is perfectly fine. Alright, come in and introduce yourself."
With that, the teacher called toward the hallway. A moment later, a beautiful girl with chestnut twin-tails walked into the room, causing both the boys and girls to stir in excitement.
Issei and Xenovia wore shocked expressions, while Asia's face lit up with joy.
She walked to the blackboard, wrote her name in large letters, then turned to face us with a confident voice.
"I'm Irina Shidou. I hope we can all get along~"
Her cross swayed from her chest as she cheerfully introduced herself.
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"Irina Shidou, we welcome you to our school," said Rias-senpai after class in the Occult Research Clubroom.
We had exchanged brief greetings during homeroom, but due to our... complicated history, we agreed to save the deeper discussion for later.
Back during the Kokabiel incident and the peace summit, Irina, Gasper, and I weren't directly involved, but most of the others had met her as something close to an enemy.
Apparently, she said something like, "I've defeated a lot of devils up to now, but I hope we can all be friends from now on~" … Did she really need that first part?
"I told her to skip that line…" Azazel-sensei sighed. "But with the Khaos Brigade getting more active, Michael insisted we needed a Church-affiliated combatant stationed here in this key town. Even though we've got a ridiculously strong defense setup. Anyway, Irina Shidou, did you stop being human?"
Azazel-sensei turned to Irina, looking slightly exasperated.
"Oh, you noticed? That's right! I've been reborn as a reincarnated angel, blessed by Lord Michael himself! I may not have Excalibur anymore, but I'll use this power to bring peace~ Amen"
With a twirl, Irina summoned her angelic wings and halo and struck a dramatic pose. Everyone stared in surprise, except Azazel-sensei, who nodded in understanding.
"A reincarnated angel? Is that even possible?" asked Yuuto.
"It wasn't until recently. But now that the Three Factions have made peace and started sharing tech, the angels replicated the reincarnation system using the devils' Evil Pieces as a base. Since God's death, no new pure angels could be born. Unlike devils and fallen angels, who can slowly increase their numbers, the angels were getting desperate. Even Michael probably feels relieved now."
"Wait! Azazel-sensei! You just casually dropped 'God's death' like it's no big deal!" Issei panicked.
Azazel shrugged. "Issei, you already knew God was gone. Everyone assigned to this town should be briefed on that, it's important for cooperation. Didn't Sirzechs mention God's absence during the peace talks? Don't tell me your memory got wiped, Irina?"
"No, I'm aware that the Lord no longer exists," Irina said with a solemn expression… which quickly crumbled as tears welled up.
"Uwaaaaah! The center of our world, our Father, the very Creator is gone! When Lord Michael first told me, I couldn't get out of bed for seven days and seven nights! Even now, just saying it out loud makes my heart ache, uwaaaah!"
"I understand, Irina," said Xenovia.
"So do I," added Asia.
They each placed a gentle hand on Irina's trembling shoulders.
"I'm sorry for all the awful things I said! Calling Xenovia a traitor and calling Asia a witch… I didn't mean any of it!"
With a spin, Irina hugged both of them tightly.
"I don't mind at all. Let's be friends, Irina-san," Asia said with a smile.
"Same here. I'm glad we're together again… But, could you let go now? That cross around your neck is stabbing me."
Despite their smiles, both Asia and Xenovia looked slightly strained, those crosses hurt devils, after all.
"Aah! Sorry! I forgot! I'll make sure to take off the cross next time I hug someone~"
"That would help, thanks."
"Even though the Lord is no longer with us, our love for Him remains. Asia, Xenovia, let us give thanks for this reunion, "
"Amen!!"
The first "Amen" from the Church Trio. It looked like they'd get along just fine.
Irina then went on to explain that the reincarnated angel system, "Brave Saints," was modeled after a deck of playing cards, and she had received the Ace card from Michael himself.
After finishing the story, Irina turned to Yuuto.
"Oh, right! Kiba-kun, I was also sent here to give you this."
From a magic circle, she drew out three glowing crystals.
"Those are… my comrades'!?"
"Yes. These are the Sacred Gear fragments of your fallen comrades that were absorbed by Freed Sellzen. I was supposed to transfer here at the start of the term, but I stayed to oversee the extraction. Now they're yours. Please take them."
Yuuto took the offered fragments with both hands, staring at their glow before holding them tightly to his chest.
"Thank you… for saving me, both then and now. From now on, we'll always be together."
Paaaah!!
Yuuto's words seemed to trigger it, a warm light, like during the Kokabiel incident, filled the room as the fragments merged with him.
"Yuuto, are you feeling okay? I can check with senjutsu if, "
"I'm fine. No discomfort… If anything, I feel stronger."
Indeed, Yuuto's aura seemed more powerful than before.
"Whoa, you actually absorbed all of them? Must be because the fragments belonged to comrades whose hearts were aligned with yours… Even Heaven hasn't managed to pull that off yet, right?"
"Correct. But during the Freed extraction, we unexpectedly gathered data on multiple-fragment absorption, so further research might make it possible."
Freed… even in death, he's been turned into a test subject, huh?
"Alright, Yuuto. Come visit Grigori soon. With both Freed's data and your success, we can improve the Sacred-Demonic Sword program."
…Wait, wouldn't it make more sense for him to go to Heaven instead?
Azazel-sensei, you just want the juicy data, don't you?
Later, Irina went to greet the Sitri group as well, and after club activities, we held a welcome party at Issei's house. The Student Council couldn't make it, so it was just the usual crowd.
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"Once again, I'm Irina Shidou, envoy of the Church… well, angels now. I'll do my best to protect the peace of this town. Please take care of me!"
Irina was giving a toast at the party held at Issei's place. Apparently, she was going to live there too.
Not surprising, both my house and Issei's still have a ton of empty rooms.
Everyone applauded at her greeting.
Azazel-sensei, standing off to the side, sipped his drink and muttered, "We've fought for years. Even with peace, there are still many who aren't happy. Bonds like yours are rare and precious."
Then his expression soured.
"But what bugs me is how so many of my officers are suddenly getting chummy with women from the other factions. Since the peace treaty, everyone's been scrambling to register marriages! There's a marriage boom going on in Grigori right now… At this rate, I'm gonna be the only one left single!"
Uh… Azazel-sensei? You're leaking some serious bitterness there.
"Wait… Sensei, are you unpopular?"
"Wha!? Issei, you bastard! Did you forget me telling you about my glorious harem back in the underworld!? I just choose to live for my hobbies, okay!? I could get women any time! In fact, if you wanted, I could give you a harem of the finest fallen angel beauties by tonight!"
"Tonight!? That's amazing! Even Kokabiel said he'd need at least a day to do it! You're on a whole other level!"
Don't praise that, Issei. And Azazel-sensei, stop looking so smug!
"But… doesn't that still mean you're single, nya~n?"
"As Kuroka says. A harem and marriage are separate. If your subordinates aren't asking for your advice on marriage, maybe that says something about, "
"Hey, Ikki. Why are you pausing? And what's with those pitying eyes? Got something to say?"
Azazel-sensei… why is your wine glass cracking?
"It's okay, Sensei. You said it yourself, 'I could get women anytime,' right?"
…I'm probably giving him a very gentle, saintly smile right now. Probably.
"THAT'S NOT A REAL ANSWER, DAMMIT!!"
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