A Fake Familiar Reborn

Chapter 23: Holy Sword Part 3

Beta read by Shigiya, Paragon of Awesomeness and Maglad.

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-Kuoh Academy-

"Wow! So this must be the famous Kuoh Academy. It's far bigger than our church! I think we could fit ten of those here with still some space left!" Standing outside the gates of the school, two hooded figures stood conspicuously while passing students kept throwing them weird glances. "Eh? Everyone is looking at us weirdly for some reason... I hope I don't smell bad or anything."

"It's because we're the only ones covering ourselves with white cloaks, and carrying large swords with us. Also there's the fact that you keep making a commotion."

Irina turned around to look at her partner with a small pout on her face. "How am I making a commotion!? I'm just observing the place before us and making some comments - also you're the only one with a giant sword on your back, I've just got this cute ribbon around my arm."

"You've been admiring this heathen's little school for the past hour. It's very clear to me that if your little friend was ever here, we've long since missed him. I refuse to wait any longer just for you to have a friendly reunion, when we have a meeting we need to be getting underway."

Xenovia said this with clear frustration leaking from her tone. After dropping off their luggage in their hotel room, both exorcists went to pay a small visit to Irina's childhood friend's house. They were welcomed by the happy couple who initially didn't even recognize the twin-tailed girl when she first appeared, but were soon overjoyed to see an old friend of their son's.

"He is definitely here. Issei's parents mentioned that he was supposed to be at school. They wouldn't lie to us. How could you even think of that?"

"I'm not suggesting that, Irina. Let's just... let's just get done with our meeting with the Devils and we can search for him afterwards if you want. Worst case scenario, we can just wait at his family's home, or come back here tomorrow."

"I'm not so sure that the second one is such a good idea anymore!" the latter explained. "If I talk to Issei in front of the Devils, they will get the idea that he is a very important person to me and could even use him against us. It's best not to give them that incentive and keep Issei's friendship with me a secret, at least for now."

The twin-tailed exorcist huffed, no longer looking at his partner but instead at their surroundings. Noticing a small group of collared doves perched on the branches of the nearby trees. A few let their wings flap experimentally as if preparing to take to the sky again, while the rest of the avians quietly sat in their perch while seeming to embody the tranquility they were known to represent in her faith.

"Oooh, this must be a sign from God!"

"What is?"

"Nothing~! Just thinking out loud."

A few seconds later, the handful of gentle birds flew away, making Irina's smile die down ever so slightly, and leaving her to briefly wonder if she'd jinxed things. Soon enough though she went back to speaking with Xenovia and argued about their next course of action. Five minutes before the time they had designated for the meeting, the exorcists were approached by two individuals.