[ Isaiah's PoV ]
What the fuck?!
Isaiah processed what Rias said, running through the implications at speed of Flash.
The Old Satan Faction spent decades trying to resurrect the original Four Great Satans's legacy, who'd been a thorn in the side of every peace initiative, who'd commanded resources and influence that made them one of the most dangerous in the Underworld were.
"Wiped out?" Isaiah said.
"Yeah you heard it right, kid. They are completely gone" Azazel cut in, pushing off from the wall "We're talking about their main headquarters, three major safe houses, and what we estimate were seventy percent of their operational forces. All eliminated in a single night, without a trace of the one behind this"
Isaiah's mind raced through the information.
'It can't be who I am thinking it is. For her to take this step without putting much thought into it....but that's the kind of an individual Ophis is. Or is it really her? Euclid could be also behind it?! What's going on all of a sudden?'
"Who did it?" he asked.
The room fell into an uncomfortable silence. Isaiah watched as Grayfia's expression tightened almost imperceptibly, and Azazel's casual demeanor shifted to something more serious.
"We don't know for certain" Grayfia said, matching his gaze "Whoever executed this operation had intimate knowledge of Old Satan Faction strongholds and defensive measures very well"
Isaiah's brows furrowed "That narrows it down to people with access to high-level intelligence"
"Or someone who's been allied within their organization for a very long time" Sona added, adjusting her glasses.
A thought struck Isaiah, cold and certain. During the attack on the Three Faction peace conference, when he interrogated Katerea Leviathan before he finished her.
"Could it be Euclid Lucifuge?" Isaiah said.
The temperature in the room dropped.
Grayfia's mask of composure cracked for just a fraction of a second. Rias's eyes widened. Even Azazel straightened from his casual posture.
"During the peace conference attack, I managed to extract some information from Katerea before she died" Isaiah explained, his gaze moving between Grayfia and the others "She mentioned that Euclid had allied with the Old Satan Faction reclaiming the glory of Original Satans. So, it makes sense that he could be behind such an attack. He is one of pure blooded devils and the strongest among them, isn't he?"
Azazel nodded slowly.
"But why would he exterminate his own allies?" Rias asked, confusion evident in her voice "If he allied with them, what would he gain from their destruction?"
Grayfia's expression hardened, and when she spoke, there was a weight of personal knowledge and pain behind her words "Euclid has never considered anyone a true ally. For him, others are merely pieces to be used and discarded when their purpose is served. He would never view anyone as an equal unless they possessed power that rivaled his own and shared his fanatical devotion to pure-blooded devil supremacy"
The room took this information with varying degrees of surprise. Isaiah noticed how Akeno's playful demeanor had completely vanished, replaced by sharp attention. Asia looked troubled, her hands clasped tightly together. Koneko's expression was as neutral as ever, but her ears were perked with obvious interest.
"Your brother is a real piece of work, Grayfia-san," Azazel said bluntly though his tone carried no judgment toward her "But I've got to say, as cold-blooded as this mass execution was, I'm almost grateful. The Old Satan Faction has been a massive pain in our collective asses for centuries. They've sabotaged every peace initiative, committed countless crimes behind the scenes, and their ideology was actively poisoning young devils against the new order"
Benemune, who had been silent until now, finally spoke "More importantly, this development significantly strengthens our position for the upcoming peace agreement with Odin, the leader of Asgard. The Old Satan Faction had been actively working to undermine our negotiations with other pantheons. With them eliminated, we can present a more unified front"
This revelation caused surprised looks from Rias, Sona, and their respective peerage members. Akeno's eyes widened slightly. Tsubaki's hand moved instinctively to adjust her glasses. Asia's expression shifted to one of cautious hope.
"Peace agreement with Asgard?" Rias asked "I knew there were preliminary discussions, but I didn't realize we were that far along"
"We weren't" Azazel admitted with a shrug "But with the Old Satan Faction out of the picture, a lot of obstacles just disappeared. Odin was a little hesitant to commit to anything concrete as if they try to restart the Great War. Now? We've got a real shot at bringing the Norse pantheon into a formal alliance"
Isaiah processed this information, seeing the larger strategic picture forming. The elimination of the Old Satan Faction wasn't just about removing a threat—it was about reshaping the political landscape of the Devil Society. And if Euclid was behind it, then he was playing a far more sophisticated game than anyone had given him credit for.
"There's something else you all need to know," Azazel continued, his expression becoming more serious "Given the current situation and the likelihood that things are going to get more troublesome before they get better, I've decided to take a more hands-on approach with Rias and her peerage"
Rias blinked in surprise "What do you mean?"
"I mean I'm going to personally oversee your training," Azazel said. "All of you beside Isaiah. You've all got potential that's being wasted because you're not being pushed hard enough. The peace conference attack showed us that the threats you're facing are escalating. You need to be stronger, faster, and smarter if you're going to survive what's coming"
Isaiah felt a mix of anticipation and wariness. Training under Azazel, one of the strongest Fallen Angels in existence and a genius at Sacred Gear research, would undoubtedly be brutal but invaluable.
Azazel turned his gaze to Isaiah and grinned, crossing his arms "Your training is going to be a bit different. Benemune here has volunteered to be your instructor"
Benemune smiled, and there was something in her expression that made Isaiah's instincts prickle with caution.
"Isaiah's abilities are unique enough that they require specialized attention" Benemune explained with a smile "His spatial manipulation, his transformations, his combat style—they don't fit the standard training regimens that work for Sacred Gear users. I have experience with unconventional abilities and combat situations that will be more beneficial for his development."
Isaiah met her gaze evenly "I appreciate the offer, Benemune san, but I'd like to know what this training will entail"
Benemune smirked as she adjusted her glasses "I'll explain the details later, but for now, just know that you'll be working on understanding your existing abilities and exploring applications you haven't considered yet"
"When do we start?" Rias asked.
"We can start it by today for you and other members of your group" Azazel said "Isaiah, you'll begin tomorrow. Benemune will contact you and tell you the specifics"
The meeting continued for another thirty minutes related to both the Old Satan Faction remnants and potential fallout from 'Euclid's' actions. Throughout it all, Isaiah couldn't shake the feeling that he was missing something important—some piece of the puzzle that would make everything click into place.
When they finally dismissed him, Rias caught his arm.
"Isaiah, wait"
He turned to find her standing close, her expression troubled.
"Are you really okay with this? Training under a Cadre?" Rias asked quietly "I don't know her well, but something about her makes me uneasy"
Isaiah considered the question carefully "Honestly? I'm not sure. But Azazel wouldn't put me in danger without good reason, and if Benemune can help me understand my abilities better, then it's worth the try?"
Rias didn't look entirely convinced, but she nodded with a smile "Just... be careful. And if you require anything, contact me immediately"
"I will" Isaiah promised.
As he left the clubroom, Isaiah's mind churned through everything he'd learned. The Old Satan Faction eliminated. Euclid Lucifuge potentially behind it. Peace agreements with Asgard moving forward. Training under Benemune starting tomorrow.
The pieces were moving faster than he'd anticipated, and he couldn't shake the feeling that he was being pushed for some bigger trouble he didn't see yet.
---
The rest of the day passed in a strange haze of normalcy. Classes happened around him, students discussed mundane concerns, and the world continued turning as if a major faction of Underworld hadn't just been dismantled overnight.
Isaiah went through the motions, but his mind was elsewhere. He thought about Euclid Lucifuge—Grayfia's brother, a fanatic loyalist to the original Lucifer, someone who viewed other devils as either tools or obstacles. What was his endgame? Why eliminate the Old Satan Faction now? What did he have to gain?
And more troublingly—how did this connect to the larger movements Isaiah had sensed? The Khaos Brigade was still out there. Ophis was using his Infinity Castle as a refuge. The supernatural world was in a state of flux, with alliances shifting and old grudges being settled.
Lunch came and went. Isaiah sat alone in the cafeteria, preferring the quiet to sort through his thoughts. A few female students tried to approach him for conversation, but his distracted demeanor discouraged them quickly enough.
The afternoon classes dragged on with agonizing slowness, and when school finally ended, Isaiah made his way back to his residence.
Ravel and Latia were already there when he arrived, discussing something about infrastructure improvements. He exchanged pleasantries, deflected questions about his distracted state, and retreated to his room to process everything.
He'd just settled onto his bed when his phone buzzed with a message from an unknown number:
"Tomorrow, 9 AM. I'll pick you up from your residence — Benemune"
Isaiah stared at the message, then typed back a simple confirmation. Whatever this training entailed, he'd find out soon enough.
As evening approached, he found himself unable to settle. His mind kept churning through possibilities, scenarios, potential threats. Finally, unable to stand the mental noise any longer, he transported himself to the Infinity Castle for some training.
The familiar dimension materialized around him, platforms floating at impossible angles, stairs leading nowhere and everywhere. It was quiet here, peaceful in a way that the normal world wasn't.
He'd barely begun his warm-up exercises when he sensed her presence.
Ophis materialized on a nearby platform, floating cross-legged in the air. Her expression was as emotionless as ever, her dark eyes tracking him with that peculiar, unblinking focus.
"Training" she stated flatly.
Isaiah paused mid-movement "Yeah"
Silence stretched between them, as Ophis stared at him.
- Staaaaaare -
A thought struck Isaiah—one that had been nagging at him since the meeting in the Occult Club Room. The Old Satan Faction had been allied with the Khaos Brigade, Ophis's organization. Their sudden elimination could very well have been orchestrated by her.
Isaiah asked carefully "The Old Satan Faction. They were part of your group...Did you eliminate them?"
Ophis tilted her head slightly, her expression unchanging. She stared at him with those unblinking dark eyes, silent.
Isaiah waited, but she offered nothing. No confirmation, no denial, just that blank, confused stare as if she didn't understand why he was asking or perhaps didn't even remember who the Old Satan Faction were.
The silence stretched for a full minute and she finally responded.
"This place good" Ophis finally said, her gaze drifting away from him to take in the Infinity Castle around them.
Isaiah sighed, running a hand through his hair. Of course she wouldn't answer. Whether she'd been involved or not, Ophis clearly had no interest in discussing it. The Old Satan Faction's existence or elimination meant nothing to her.
They were just more noise in a world full of it.
"Yeah" Isaiah agreed quietly, not bothering to push for information anymore.
Ophis said nothing more, simply continuing to float in place, her presence like a single fish in the never ending ocean.
Isaiah resumed his exercises, working through combat forms and spatial manipulation techniques. The physical exertion helped quiet his mind, though the question of Ophis's involvement or lack thereof continued to nag at him. He'd gotten absolutely no answers, which was somehow expected from the Dragon God of Infinity.
After several hours, when exhaustion finally began to set in, Isaiah glanced toward where Ophis had been floating.
She was gone, vanished as silently as she'd appeared, leaving him with nothing but unanswered questions and the lingering sense that he'd never truly know if she'd been involved.
Isaiah transported himself back to his residence, going through his evening routine. Ravel tried to engage him in conversation about the day's events, but he deflected with responses about it being good and nothing serious.
Sleep came easier than expected, his body demanding rest after the mental and emotional strain of the day.
---
Morning arrived in a blink of an eye, Isaiah woke at seven, went through his usual routine, and was dressed and ready by eight-thirty. He'd chosen a different attire than the usual one. The flexible pants, a white shirt, and his confidence that wouldn't restrict any of his movement.
Rayne was already in the common area when he came down, reviewing some documents. She glanced up as he entered.
"Isaiah sama? Where you headed at this hour?" she observed.
"Benemune is picking me up at nine" Isaiah confirmed "Azazel assigned her to oversee my development of my sacred gear"
Rayne's expression tightened slightly "The Fallen Angel Cadre. Be careful, Isaiah-sama. Fallen Angels are notorious for their hidden motives"
"I know. But this came directly from Azazel, so it should be legitimate" Isaiah appreciated her concern, even if he couldn't fully address it "I'll stay alert"
At exactly 9 AM, there was a knock at his door.
Benemune stood in the doorway, dressed in form-fitting combat attire that managed to be both practical and elegant. Her smile was pleasant, carrying a distinctly playful demeanor. She looked him up and down with obvious appreciation, her eyes lingering just a moment too long.
"My, my" she purred, her voice taking on that distinctive teasing tone "You are dressed well enough, Isaiah. I do appreciate punctuality in my students... and such an attractive one at that." Her smile widened "This is going to be much more enjoyable than I anticipated"
Isaiah kept his expression neutral, refusing to rise to the obvious bait "Good morning, Benemune-san"
"Oh, so formal" she laughed softly, stepping closer into his personal space with the confidence of someone who knew exactly what they were doing "We're going to be spending quite a bit of time together, Isaiah. You can drop the formalities. Just Benemune is fine." She tilted her head, her smile turning almost mischievous "Or you could call me sensei if you prefer. I do rather like the sound of that."
He bid farewell to Rayne, who gave him one last warning look that Benemune definitely noticed and seemed amused by, and followed the Fallen Angel Cadre out of the residence.
They made their way through the residential area, and Isaiah quickly realized that Benemune had no concept of comfortable silence. She walked close beside him—closer than strictly necessary—and seemed genuinely curious about everything.
"So tell me, Isaiah" she said with underlying playfulness "What's it like living with three beautiful women? That little blonde one, Ravel, wasn't it? seemed quite protective of you. And her mother watching over you too. My, my, you do attract lots of beautiful ladies without any efforts~"
"They're my peerage members" Isaiah said flatly.
"Mmm, is that what we're calling it?" Benemune's laugh was light and knowing. "How delightful of you. Though I suppose that's part of your charm aside from serious, focused demeanor. It makes me want to see what it takes to make you flustered"
Isaiah kept walking, determined not to give her the reaction she was clearly fishing for.
Benemune pushed up her glasses with a knowing smile "I've been reading the reports about you, you know. Azazel gave me access to quite a bit of fascinating details about your combat with Vali Lucifer. That Sacred Gear of yours—Sword Birth, correct? But the way you use it..." She moved even closer, her voice dropping to a whisper "Those transformation abilities. They're not typical Sacred Gear manifestations at all, are they?"
"They're indeed granted by my Sacred Gear" Isaiah said without thinking for a moment.
"Mmm, yes, that's what the reports say" Benemune purred, her tone suggesting she wasn't entirely convinced but was willing to play along "But there's something different about you. The way your demonic energy manifests, the spatial techniques you've displayed in combat..." Her eyes gleamed with genuine curiosity beneath the flirtation "You're not having another Sacred Gear, are you?"
Isaiah kept his expression neutral, neither confirming nor denying. The Infinity Castle and other abilities were his secret, and he had no intention of revealing it.
Benemune seemed to read his silence correctly and laughed, clearly delighted "Oh, keeping secrets already? Don't worry, I do enjoy working with enigmatic students. It makes the process of training so much more... interesting." She leaned in closer "Though I should warn you~ I'm very good at uncovering secrets."
"Do tell me, if you find them" Isaiah said flatly, which only made Benemune chuckle as he was indeed a man of wonders.
"You're not like the other young ones I've encountered so far" she said, her tone shifting to something more thoughtful while maintaining that playful edge "Most of them either preen under attention or get flustered and tongue-tied. But you... you just keep that mask of composure up. It's adorable, really. Makes me want to find all your weak points."
"Is there a purpose to this analysis?" Isaiah asked.
"Oh, I'm just getting to know my new student," Benemune said innocently, though her smile suggested anything but innocence "After all, if I'm going to train you properly, I need to understand what makes you tick. Your strengths, your weaknesses, what motivates you..." She leaned in closer "What tempts you."
Isaiah kept his gaze forward "I'm tagging along with you to train, so let's go along with that"
Benemune laughed, clearly delighted by his response "The best training addresses the mind and body equally. And you, my dear student, are absolutely fascinating on both counts"
They walked for another few minutes, eventually arriving at a part of the city Isaiah didn't recognize. The buildings here were older, less maintained, with an atmosphere that suggested this was a place where supernatural beings conducted business away from prying eyes.
Benemune stopped in front of what appeared to be a nondescript bar. The sign above the door read "Black Dog Bar" in faded letters, with a smaller subtitle mentioning it also functioned as a restaurant.
"A bar?" Isaiah asked, raising an eyebrow "At nine in the morning?"
'Why would she bring me to Team Slash Dog? What is Azazel planning?'
Benemune's smile turned mysterious and pleased, like a cat that had caught a particularly interesting mouse "This is not just any bar. This is where one of the most elite teams in our faction has their base of operations. Well, when they're not out on missions anyway." She placed a hand on his arm, her touch deliberate "I thought it was time you met some people who would help at getting the level you're aspiring to reach"
She pushed open the door, her hand sliding down to briefly catch his before she released it, and Isaiah followed her inside with the growing certainty that Benemune was going to make his training far more complicated than simple combat exercises.
The interior was dimly lit, with a classic bar setup on the second floor—wooden counter, stools, booths along the walls. The atmosphere was quiet, almost serene, with the kind of understated elegance that came from careful maintenance rather than ostentation.
Behind the bar stood a young man with short black hair and pale grey eyes, wearing a classic bartender uniform. He was wiping down a glass with a smile on his face, but Isaiah could sense the compressed power within him, a Longinus user, without question.
But what caught Isaiah's attention more was the girl sitting at the bar.
She was breathtakingly beautiful, with long flowing blonde hair that seemed to shimmer even in the dim light and striking sapphire blue eyes. She wore what appeared to be a elegant magician's robe with a hood currently pulled back. Her figure was voluptuous, and she radiated a kind of gentle, older-sister aura that was immediately disarming.
The woman turned as they entered, and her face lit up with a warm, genuine smile that reached her eyes.
"Bene-chan!" she called out cheerfully, her voice melodic and welcoming "You didn't tell me you were bringing a guest. And such a handsome young one too!"
Benemune's expression softened slightly, genuine fondness showing through her usual teasing demeanor "Lavinia, always so enthusiastic! I brought someone I thought you should meet!!!"
The blonde girl—Lavinia—stood gracefully and approached, her movements flowing and natural. Up close, Isaiah could sense the immense power she contained, carefully controlled and masked beneath her gentle exterior.
"I'm Lavinia Reni" she introduced herself with that same warm smile, extending her hand "It's wonderful to meet you. Any friend of Bene-chan's is someone I'd love to know"
Isaiah shook her hand, noting the softness that belied the calluses of someone who'd spent years wielding magic "Isaiah. I'm... apparently going to be training under Benemune"
Lavinia's eyes sparkled with interest and what looked like genuine delight "Oh, how wonderful! Bene-chan is an excellent teacher, though she can be a bit of a tease" She glanced at Benemune with an affectionate smile "But she's very caring underneath all that playfulness!"
"Lavinia, you're going to ruin my reputation" Benemune said with mock exasperation, though her smile suggested she didn't mind at all.
The bartender approached, and Isaiah recognized him from his memories—Tobio Ikuse, the Slash Dog himself.
"Coffee?" Tobio offered, his voice calm and professional "Or tea, if you prefer. We don't usually serve alcohol this early, despite the establishment's name"
"Coffee would be good" Isaiah said.
As Tobio prepared the drinks with practiced efficiency, Lavinia gestured toward one of the booths "Please, sit with me. I'd love to hear about you. It's not often Bene-chan takes on personal students!!!"
They settled into the booth, with Benemune sliding in beside Isaiah while Lavinia sat across from them, her expression open and interested.
"The rest of the team is out on a mission," Lavinia explained, her tone conversational and warm "Tobi-kun here will be leaving for his mission shortly while Natsume, Kouki, and Sae are handling something in Kyoto. I volunteered to stay back, I had a feeling something interesting might happen today" She smiled knowingly at Benemune.
"You and your intuition" Benemune said with a slight shake of her head. "Though I suppose it rarely steers you wrong"
Tobio brought over their drinks, setting them down before returning to his post behind the bar, giving them space while remaining within earshot.
"So..." Lavinia said, cupping her own tea in both hands, her expression genuinely curious "Bene-chan mentioned you have some very unique abilities! Is it true??"
Isaiah replied "I'm still learning the full extent of what I can do"
"That's the beauty of learning about your power, isn't it?" Lavinia's smile was gentle, understanding. "There's always more to discover, more to learn new stuffs. I've been working with my Absolute Demise for years, and I still find new things!!!"
She leaned forward slightly, her eyes warm with what seemed like genuine interest "But power without understanding can be dangerous, both to yourself and to others. That's something I learned the hard way." She paused for just a moment before her smile returned "I'm glad you'll have Bene-chan to guide you. She's very good at helping understand the sacred gears"
"You're too kind, Lavinia chan" Benemune said, though her tone suggested she appreciated the compliment.
Lavinia let out a soft laugh. Then she turned her full attention back to Isaiah "I hope we'll have chances to work together in the future. The Slash Dog team collaborates with Grigori agents quite often, and you might find yourself on missions with us eventually!!!"
The way she said it wasn't threatening or ominous—just matter-of-fact, delivered with that same gentle warmth that seemed to be her natural state.
"I'd love that, Lavinia san" Isaiah said, and he meant it. There was something genuinely likable about Lavinia, despite—or perhaps because of her seemingly innocent and kind demeanor.
They talked for another few minutes, with Lavinia asking questions about his background in a way that felt more like friendly curiosity than interrogation.
She shared some stories about the Slash Dog team's bizarre adventures, carefully edited to avoid classified details but entertaining nonetheless. She spoke fondly of her teammates—calling Tobio "Tobi-kun" with obvious affection, describing Natsume's energetic personality with an indulgent smile, mentioning Kouki's protective nature and Sae's determination with warm approval.
Eventually, Benemune stood "We should get going to the training room"
Lavinia rose as well, giving Isaiah another warm smile "It was lovely meeting you, Isaiah kun. I'm sure we'll see each other again soon!!! Oh, and do take care of yourself during training. Bene-chan has a tendency to push her students hard, but that's only because she sees their potential"
"I'll keep that in mind" Isaiah said.
As they went deep inside the bar, Isaiah glanced back to see Lavinia waving cheerfully, her smile as genuine as when they'd first arrived. Tobio gave a simple nod of acknowledgment from behind the desk.
Once they were in front of a door, Benemune's expression shifted to something more serious, though that playful demeanor never quite disappeared.
Isaiah processed this information and simply nodded.
Benemune said, her smile turning slightly sly "Now, let's see if you can handle my training sessions~"
The way she said it suggested the real challenges were just beginning.
And as Isaiah followed her toward whatever training she had in mind, he couldn't shake the feeling that meeting Lavinia Reni had been more significant than a simple introduction.
And he realised she wasn't told about Vali's 'death' yet.
. . .
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