True High School DxD

Volume 4 Chapter 5

New Life

From the end of the incident related to the Longinus [Alphecca Tyrant] and the fight against the [Alliance of Hell], one week had passed. Today, I, Hyoudou Issei, came formally dressed to a ceremony in a ceremonial hall which was located in the capital of the Underworld, Lilith. The reason was—

In the ceremonial hall, important people of the Angels and Devils had gathered, formally dressed, the same as me, and so were the members of [D×D] (mainly Devils and Angels), who had come to receive their rewards, myself included.

We were rewarded due to our achievements in defeating the [Alliance of Hell] and participation in the Rating Game. The said reward was promotion.

Ajuka Beelzebub-sama was standing at the altar, and there, one by one, the new ranks of those who were promoted were announced and granted.

"Rias Gremory, from now on, will be an Ultimate-class Devil."

Being informed so, Rias—

"I'll receive it respectfully."

She replied like that.

That's right! Rias became an Ultimate-class Devil!

Furthermore, Sairaorg-san, Sona-senpai and Seekvaira-san, the [Rookies Four], each of them stood at the altar too and were promoted to Ultimate-class Devils. These weren't the only surprises to be had.

Beelzebub-sama informed Xenovia who stood at the altar.

"From the Hyoudou Issei peerage, Xenovia Quarta, High-class Devil."

"I'll receive it respectfully."

What!? Xenovia became a High-class Devil and received her [Evil Pieces]! Moreover, Xenovia wasn't the only one who became a High-class Devil.

Asia, Akeno-san, Koneko-chan, Kiba, Gasper, Rossweisse-san, Shinra-senpai, Saji, Kuroka...and more were publicly acknowledged and became High-class Devils!

In one breath, my comrades became High-class Devils! That just meant they did things deserving of this...

Next, Vali and I were made to stand at the altar at the same time.

...As I was a High-class Devil, I would probably be promoted to Ultimate-class Devil.

But what about Vali? Since Vali was already an Ultimate-class Devil. I was puzzled, but Beelzebub-sama informed us.

"Hyoudou Issei and Vali Lucifer, both individuals are now ​Special-class Devils."

—! ...Special-class Devil?

This was a rank I'd never heard of! I looked back in Rias's direction, but as she was surprised too, I understood that even Rias, who was born a Devil, had never heard of this rank.

The audience who came to watch the awarding ceremony​ had become agitated and were confused too.

It looked like this was something that they'd never heard of before.

Beelzebub-sama said.

"This is a new rank established for them. As there was no appropriate rank for them in the current Underworld, I thought about granting the rank of Special-class Devil that is above Ultimate-class Devil."

After a short silence from hearing this, the audience burst into a wave of applause.

Special-class Devil!

I-I...I'm above Ultimate-class Devil! I-I was promoted by two classes! I jumped over Ultimate-class Devil!

Beelzebub-sama said smiling.