DxD: Ascension - Redux

Chapter 24: The Start of Summer

This chapter marks the beginning of Volume V: Ragnarok.

Somewhere in Siberia... (BGM: Led Zeppelin - Immigrant Song)

A massive frost giant rose out of the frozen lake, bellowing in rage, "I WILL CLAIM THIS REALM FOR JOTUNHEIM! YOU WILL NOT TAKE ME ALIVE!"
Zach crossed his arms as the Phoenix's Talon appeared over his right arm. "That wasn't the plan anyway, big guy." He spread his wings and launched into the sky, melting the snow in a ten-foot radius around where he had been standing. Chains made of sarlet lightning wrapped around the giant's arms and legs, holding him in place.
Royal blue fireballs gathered in Zach's hands. "Transfer power to the fireballs, please."
Will do, Azrael said in compliance. Transfer!
Instantly, the fireballs tripled in size and power. With a confident yell, Zach hurled them at the giant's face, vaporizing him. "That's all she wrote." He slowly landed on the snow-covered forest floor.
You're certainly recovering from that last fight quickly, Azrael noted.
"Yeah." Zach examined his gauntlet. "This new thing's been an amazing help, especially with all these frosty Norse creatures popping up across the cold parts of Earth. And that one in Florida. Which was... strange, if nothing else."
Very. You'd better head back to Japan. School will be starting soon over there.
Zach admired the lack of evidence of his fight. "Yeah, sure. Look at this, dude. It's like we were never even here. We are amazing at this."
I'm just on your arm. This is all you, kid.

Kuoh Academy (BGM: Persona 5 - New Beginning)

Zach arrived at school to find everyone buzzing with excitement about their summer plans. "Oh, that's right. It's the last day before summer break," Zach recalled. Been here for longer than I realized. But I'm starting to enjoy it... it's refreshing to have work-life balance again. Zach smiled to himself as he entered his classroom.

"Alright, spill. What are you doing over the break?" one of the girls asked Asia.
"Oh, I've never had such a long break before, so I'm honestly feeling a little unprepared," Asia replied sheepishly.
"I'm not sure either," Xenovia agreed. "There are all sorts of things we could do."
On the other side of the classroom, Issei met with his human friends. "Last day of school, yo!" Matsuda exclaimed. "And you know what that means!"
"Hell yeah! Sexy summertime!" Issei confirmed, a lecherous grin on his face.
"Babes in bikinis by the beaches and pools! I'm practically shaking with anticipation!" Motohama added excitedly.
"So the Perverted Trio is keeping their summer schedule open?" Aika Kiryuu asked sarcastically, sitting on a nearby desk.
"Piss off, Kiryuu!" Matsuda demanded. "We only need one weirdo with glasses around here, and Motohama is our man!"
"Hmph! Don't put me in the same bunch as that four-eyed freak. It's insulting, you know!"
"Hey! I'll have you know Motohama's glasses can accurately measure the size of a woman's bust!"
Motohama adjusted his glasses proudly, focusing on Aika. "Heh... I'd say you're packing a respectable size 36C."
Aika smirked. "You're not the only one with that technique." She adjusted her glasses and examined each of the boys carefully. "Let's see what we have here... oh, I gotcha!" She leaned into Issei's ear and whispered his measurements. All of them were exactly spot-on.
"N-no... her scouting level is insane!" he exclaimed in shock. "Over 9000 for sure!"
Aika laughed. "Asia, you're one lucky girl!"
"Wh-what do you mean?"
"Your boyfriend is packing some serious stuff over here!"
"Is she talking about drugs?" Xenovia asked. "Sounds like we should contact the authorities."
"I mean his package!"
"Hey! Don't you dare try and corrupt their innocent minds!" Issei demanded.
Zach walked into the room just in time to hear Aika shouting about Issei's package. "Too early for this," he decided as he turned around and walked back out. He didn't return until just before class started.

Old Schoolhouse (End BGM)

"She's back to calling Asia my girlfriend, huh?" Issei stared out the window. "I had one... but she ended up killing me." He thought back to Raynare, who tricked him into falling into a deadly trap months ago. "Why am I thinking about her so much all of a sudden?"
"Something wrong, Issei?" Gasper asked. "You look down."
"Nah, all good." Issei turned. "Hey, Kiba. Got any big plans for the summer?"
"Actually, yes, we do." Kiba closed his book. "I almost forgot this was your first time with us."
"What about you, Koneko?" Asia asked. "Doing anything fun this summer?"
No reply. Koneko remained silent as Rias and Akeno walked in. "Everyone, I hope you're all ready," the King announced. "Our annual trip home is tomorrow morning."
"All of us? Going to the Underworld?" Asia thought for a moment about the trip. "Why?"
"Well, a master and her servants must always be together. Besides, I get a good deal on the travel fares if I bring a group."
"I'll be coming along as well," Azazel announced, sitting in Rias's chair as usual.
"When did you get in here?!"
"Same time I did." Zach was sitting at his piano. "If you didn't notice us until we made ourselves known, you have a whole lot of work to do. So, everyone, I wish you the best of luck with your training. I've seen what they have in store and it's going to be a good time. For our bosses, mostly."
"Aren't you gonna be training too?" Issei asked.
"Yeah, but my training is different from yours. I'm pretty sure Sona and I are getting thrown on a mountain together or something. Anyway, Issei, I know you made plans with those creeps you call your bros. You're gonna have to call them off, seeing as this'll be the whole summer."
"Hmm... I'll tell 'em we're off to a secret training camp. It's technically not a lie, right?" Issei seemed proud of himself.