"Well, Saji, it seems you don't have any luck... But you're handsome and nice, so you'll find a girlfriend who isn't the president." Reya patted Saji on the shoulder and pointed at herself.
But poor Saji was already out of commission.
After finishing his conversation with Sona, Issei headed to the Occult Research Club room and once again kicked the door open.
"Asiiiaaaa!"
Issei barged in and looked inside the room, seeing Asia standing in a corner.
"Asiaaaa!"
He ran toward her and hugged her, rubbing his face against hers.
"Hahaha, Issei-san." Asia enjoyed the affection she was receiving.
"Who the hell are you?"
An irritated male voice called out.
"Geeehhh, another one?" Issei made a disgusted face. "Wasn't Kiba enough? Now you're bringing another guy to ruin the view, Rias?"
"Good morning to you too, Hyoudou-kun." Kiba smiled gently at Issei.
"Bleeh." Issei stuck out his tongue at Kiba.
"State your name, commoner!" the man shouted again, losing his patience.
-This guy reminds me of someone very unpleasant.- Satanta spoke inside Issei's mind.
-He reminds me of my Lancer self.- Vlad muttered with a grimace. -A pompous bastard.-
"Rias, what is this creature?" Issei pointed at the man and looked at Rias. "Are you collecting blondes now?"
"I am Rizer Phoenix, and I am her fiancé." The man proudly declared. "Who are you, commoner? I won't ask again."
"This creature is saying that you're his fiancée..." Issei looked at Rias. "You didn't tell me you were engaged when you tried to molest me."
"What?!"
Both Rias and Rizer shouted.
"I am not marrying him!" Rias shouted indignantly. "And I did not try to molest you!"
She became even more indignant because somehow this idiot always managed to create problems.
"Whatever. I just want to spend time with Asia." Issei hugged Asia again and pulled her closer. "Come on, Asia, let's leave these weird people here."
"Weird? Do you have any idea who I am?" Rizer hit his chest angrily.
How dare this inferior being mock him?
Issei simply looked at Rias curiously, and she sighed.
"This is Rizer Phoenix, the third son of the noble Phoenix family."
Rias introduced him, and Rizer puffed out his chest with pride.
(Yeah, partner. The Phoenix family is almost as immortal as Vlad here.) Ddraig spoke in Issei's mind. (He's probably at the upper end of High-Class while you're at the lower end without Balance Breaker and Gae Bolg, but you have plenty of chances to win.)
-Hmm, this is a good opportunity for you to learn how to fight enemies who don't stop even when injured. Pick a fight.- Vlad said.
-That's right, kid, and try not to use Gae Bolg.- Satanta laughed. -You've gotten way too used to beating stronger enemies than yourself with just Gae Bolg.-
'Alright.'
Issei replied to the three voices in his head.
"So he's like an elitist pigeon?" Issei asked while looking at Rias with an innocent expression.
Silence filled the room after Issei's words.
Then it was broken by Akeno's laughter.
"Sorry... hahaha... I can't..."
Akeno was trying her hardest to hold it in and failing miserably.
"You!"
Rizer roared in fury and burst into flames.
"Careful, careful! The pigeon is frying!" Issei pointed at Rizer. "Don't worry, I'll save you!"
He grabbed a fire extinguisher from the wall and sprayed foam directly into Rizer's face.
"Hahahahahaha!"
Akeno couldn't hold it anymore and collapsed onto the floor laughing.
"You son of a bitch! I'll kill you!"
Rizer burst into flames again and launched a stream of fire at Issei.
"No, Issei!"
Rias shouted in shock, and even Akeno stopped laughing.
When the flames disappeared, all they could see was a wall of steel stakes surrounding Issei as he held Asia tightly.
"Hey, idiot. You almost hurt Asia."
Issei looked at Rizer coldly.
"I'm okay, Issei-san," Asia murmured in his arms.
"What is that power? A Sacred Gear?" Rizer looked genuinely surprised by the stakes.
"No. Issei's Sacred Gear was a spear," Rias also said.
'So she didn't see everything when I defeated the Fallen Angels... Good.'
Issei thought in relief.
"Apologize to Asia."
Issei pointed at Rizer.
"Who are you to give me orders, commoner?"
Rizer burst into flames again, but this time, before he could react, a stake formed beside him and extended toward his neck.
At that moment, a hand grabbed the forming stake and stopped it from hitting Rizer while also grabbing his arm and extinguishing his flames.
"Enough. As the representative of House Gremory, I will not allow conflict in this place."
A woman with silver hair and a maid outfit declared this angrily.
"Tch."
Issei clicked his tongue, and the stakes turned to dust and vanished.
The maid looked at the stake she had stopped and then at her own hand.
It was cut and bleeding.
'Rizer wouldn't even have seen what hit him... What a dangerous power.'
She thought.