Megumi's power had already fully reached S+, and that collection of assassination skills she wielded left Izumi completely stunned.
Looking at her, he asked uncertainly,
"Megumi… did you fuse all the Heroic Spirit cores from the Hassan group?"
Megumi tilted her head slightly and nodded.
"Yes," she replied.
"Master said he had already seen through your plan… and knew this is what you wanted to do."
"So he proactively fused all the Heroic Spirit cores of the Hassan group together for me to use!"
Izumi froze for a moment at her words.
"I see…" he muttered.
"But that's fine!"
"Now I don't need to worry about you at all."
A smile crept onto his face.
This was truly an unexpected blessing. He had never imagined that Old Man Hassan would be so helpful—fusing the entire Hassan group's Heroic Spirit cores directly into Megumi.
It instantly catapulted her strength upward!
With a little more effort, she might even reach the level of a Transcender.
It was like taking a rocket ride straight to the top.
Of course, reaching SS-level Transcender was still a long road ahead for Megumi.
Glancing at his team, Izumi noted the power levels:
Megumi, Tōsaka Rin, Kanon, and Rufe were all S+.
Eriri and Sakura were S-class.
And then there was Aisia.
Aisia didn't need his immediate concern—thanks to Orpheus's help, her strength would increase rapidly.
After all, Aisia had become Orpheus's caretaker, and with his blessing, boosting her power was effortless.
Seeing all these improvements, Izumi couldn't help but feel satisfied.
"Excellent. In that case, let's head back!"
"We still have a tough battle ahead in our world."
Now that everyone had grown stronger, it was time to return.
Three months had passed since the world fusion, and it was time to meet the deadline he had set with Rias.
Hearing his words, everyone nodded without objection.
Surveying the group, Izumi didn't hesitate. He tore open space and led Megumi and the others away.
Tōsaka Rin and Sakura hurried to follow.
...
The world of High School DxD.
The atmosphere across the world was heavy and oppressive.
The sudden full-scale invasion from the EXE world had alerted everyone globally.
Countless people were summoned to the front lines, preparing for a total war against the other world.
Komagamine Town was now eerily quiet.
The streets were empty.
Everyone capable of fighting had been sent to the battlefield.
Civilians stayed home, hiding in fear.
Inside Izumi's house, Rias and Akeno were waiting for his return.
In the main hall, Aoi Asagi was seated, typing away on a laptop.
Beside her was a device resembling a smartphone—her CAD system.
Over the past few months, Aoi Asagi had fully mastered the tools Izumi had given her.
She had even converted them into her own combat abilities.
Using her divine artifact AI, she had developed a personal fighting style.
If Izumi were present, he would see that her strength had now reached B-class.
This leap in power was terrifying.
Just three months ago, Aoi Asagi had barely even been E-class fodder.
Rias set down her teacup and sighed.
"Akeno… do you think we'll make it out alive?"
Akeno shook her head.
"No idea."
"No one can say for sure."
They had already received orders to go to the battlefield.
All students above D-class were to participate.
Those weaker were left behind for logistics and support.
The High School DxD world was going all out to defend against the EXE world's invasion.
If this wave failed… if they lost…
The world could be destroyed.
Rias and Akeno, as princesses of the underworld, would soon have to join the battlefield themselves.
They were waiting to see when Izumi would return.
After all, survival depended on following a pro like him.
And at that moment, a massive spatial rift suddenly appeared in Izumi's house.
He and his group emerged from it.
Rias and Akeno immediately stood up, exhilarated.
"It's about time! You're finally back!"
"I thought it would be ages before you returned!"
Seeing Rias and the others in his home, Izumi paused.
"What's going on?"
"Why are you all here?"
"Has the neighboring world already attacked?"
Frowning, he instinctively activated his perception.
The entirety of Komagamine Town fell within his awareness.
He immediately understood the situation.
The streets were nearly empty.
Even students from nearby schools were returning from the other world.
Something felt off.
Rias began to explain.
"The whole world has entered a state of war readiness."
"In a few days, all students here will head to the front lines."
"That's why we've been waiting for you!"
Izumi retracted his perception and nodded.
"I understand."
"This is… really bad."
An invasion from another world was now affecting everyone.
No one could escape unscathed.
If the EXE world broke through the front lines, the rear of their world could also be attacked.
Ordinary people would be the first to die.
They had no means to resist, no way to survive.
Seeing Rias and the others, Izumi didn't hesitate.
"Then prepare yourselves."
"Anything you need—just ask. Weapons, abilities… whatever it is—I'll provide."
In times like this, Izumi would never be stingy.
And now, Rias was officially one of his people.