Knowledge Is Not Power (Highschool DxD) (2025)

"The school trip is coming up, so we'll need to form groups," Matsuda noted.

"Is this even a question? Of course it's the three of us, unless some guy I didn't know befriended one of you," I pointed out while eating my bento. Kalawarna sure has levelled up since she came back from the Underworld. "For that matter, our pair is also obvious, right? It's the transfer trio... and Kiryu, I guess. Girl's almost as toxic as us."

"Excuse me?" Aika strode over and glared at me. "Shouldn't you be happy that you're teaming up with four bishoujos?"

"Yeah, aside from you it's the three bishoujos - ow!" Matsuda gets smacked by Kiryu.

"Haha, Motohama's just grumpy all the people he'd rather be with are in another class," Ise said, raising his hand to ward Aika off. "For me, of course, being with Asia is the most important!"

"Ise!" Asia cries as she hugs him. Riajuu alert, people! Yup, they're feeding each other now.

"For a foreigner like me, it's reassuring to be with Ise who I trust and Motohama who is smart," Xenovia said.

"Yes! A school trip with Ise!" Irina cheered.

"Shittttt! Why are Ise and Motohama getting popular like this?!" Matsuda cried. Because you're a friend character, of course. Well, so am I, but my wonderful demonstration of enforced celibacy means I can be liked by girls without threatening the MC's harem.

"Listen, Matsuda," Xenovia waved her finger in the air. "What women want in a man is, fundamentally, a demonstration that they can take care of them. This may be through directly taking care of a serious problem, like Ise does, or showing they have the means to obtain money and power, like Motohama. Therefore, you should ask yourself, what are you doing to demonstrate either?"

There's a moment of complete silence as Teen Magazine Advise Giver (Underworld) Xenovia makes her bombshell debut. Then Matsuda's head crashes into the desk. "Oh God, please, I want to be hugged by a bishoujo!"

"Well, if you're that keen on it," Irina raises as Ise flinches from the sudden outpouring of faith, "the local church has four new bishoujo volunteers. If you come and volunteer more, maybe?"

"Wait, Irina," Ise raised his hand, "do you mean that four? The ones who are so pure they don't even think about it when a guy touches their ass? Because I think Matsuda's heart won't recover if he thought he had a chance and got led on..." Yes, officer, it was me, I told two girls to let a guy touch their ass (may exceed speed limit) for a tactical advantage.

"Wait a moment! If you're saying it like that, doesn't that mean you met even more bishoujos?" Matsuda slammed the table. "Don't just sit there, Motohama! Say something!"

"Aha, yes, I see so many bishoujos... I had to evaluate so many sculpts because of my self-imposed deadlines... Isn't it wonderful? A job that involve looking at statues of bishoujos," I muttered. What was I thinking, cranking out the Queen of Hearts and Queen of Swords, plus Knight of Coin, Club and Shield, just before I needed to do Loki? Well, I wasn't thinking, most likely. I got engrossed in the 'shoot the moon' premise and churned things out like that.

"Oh, yeah, I just remembered, before our break for games, could I ask you something privately?" Ise spoke to me. The fujos all perked up, damn them, but eh, why do I care about protecting my reputation from them?

We stepped out into the sacred spot for private conversation, The Corner Just Past The Back Door. Xenovia was threatening violence on all the fujos, so we're probably safe. "What do you need?" Was he going to ask about my future sight, like Reya did? Did he suspect I was the horse masked magician? Was he concerned about my angel-placating release?

"I'm going out for a date this Saturday with Akeno-san, can you help?" On one hand, good, a station of canon. On the other hand, how did he get it into his head that I was the person to ask?

"You do know I've never gone on a date before, right?" I pointed out. "We talked about which guys in our class had a 'summer debut', go ask them instead."

"Well, for one, I don't trust any of them to give me good advice. See, you aren't even surprised I'm talking about one of the Two Great Onee-samas, even if it's just a practice date," yeah, practice, let's go with that, Akeno'll have practice sex and practice baby making and practice child raising all lined up with you, "and even if I don't say the person, I bet they'll give me terrible advice on purpose. Meanwhile, of my other male friends, Yuuto... I've seen him 'serve' a woman before and the entire thing was... fake. Even for a practice date, I couldn't do that with Akeno. Genshiro hasn't managed to snag a date with Kaichou yet, and Gasper, well, never mind about Gasper. But you go out with Reya a lot, don't you?"

"I won't call them dates, exactly," we used to do it for club purposes, and now Kalawarna's always involved, though somehow it feels even closer with the two of them together, "but fine. This is Hiimejima Akeno. You're not going to impress her with money, and in fact that's probably a minus. What she wants is, likely, 'the regular feeling of two teenagers dating' and 'wanting to find out more about you', so go at it with that intent. For the most part, you should aim to pick things you enjoy, not what you think she'll enjoy. Go hit the arcade, the batting center, your favourite burger place. If there's a bunch of eroge date sites you always wanted to go, like the aquarium or sharing crepes, now's a good time. Stuff specifically for her... give her some place she can show of for you. Obviously, clothing stores, but also consider magazine or anime merchandise stores so she can ask you 'would I look good in this'?" That last one was Kalawarna's favourite activity, and she loved to put a spotlight not just on herself but on Reya too.

"That's why you're the best!" Ise cheered. Thinking about it, I did have some free time on Saturday, maybe I should ask Reya and Kalawarna to hang out?

"Moto-nii-san!" Gengo clambered onto my lap. On one hand, it has been some time since I have seen him and Kaho, and they were cute as always. On the other hand, how did it come to this?

"Ruruko-nee, please don't leave small objects on the floor where Gengo might eat them by accident!" Kaho chides the culprit, Ruruko. Apparently, since Kalawarna was the caretaker for the Saji siblings on weekends, Reya had asked in the Student Council if she might be relieved for duties. Except that Ruruko heard and made a big fuss about wanting to come with us, so it ended up like this...

"Kaho-chan, you're more mature than Ruruko," Momo patted her on the head, to which Kaho made a pleased sound.

Ruruko grumbled, but moved her Maiden's Arena stuff to the table. I had already set up my side, the vs AI board for the scenario 'An Early Ragnarok', though with Gengo on my lap I wasn't going to referee it. Reya and Ruruko were the testers, officially to check if was actually playable by two players running both sides of the board and unofficially so they get an idea of what they'll likely face. The Sitris did show up against Loki, right? I remember Saji was there so they were probably in the background as usual.

I took the opportunity to look at Reya. Even though my original plan of going out with her and Kalawarna was shot, I could still admire her in a conservative casual wear. We usually met with her in school uniform, and her Akihabara outfits were, especially with Kalawarna coordinating, daringly low-cut, so this homely look was a breath of fresh air. She spotted me looking and gave me a wink.

I averted my gaze, my cheeks a little warm, and turned the other way, to see Kalawarna emerge from the kitchen. This was a serious difference - instead of her usual fetish maid uniform, she was dressed like a housewife. Probably because in this apartment she would be spotted by others and cause issues with her regular dress.

"Goshujin-sama, everyone, I have prepared snacks and drinks," she said, before turning to tease me. "I apologise for my dress, goshujin-sama, when it is just us I will attire myself as befits our relationship."

"On the contrary," I smiled, "this is a very fresh look on you. I won't mind if you wear this kind of thing at home."

"Goshujin-sama!" The normally teasing Kalawarna was on the backfoot for once.

Sensing an opportunity for reversal, Reya piled on the compliments. "Kalawarna looks good in these kinds of clothes, doesn't she? Speaking of which, during the summer break, she went on a maid training course and dressed up in a Victorian style. Don't you want to see it too, Motohama-kun?"

"Ooh, that would be great," I played along.

"The three of you, please don't corrupt Kaho with your strange flirting," Saji sighed. That wasn't flirting! That was just how we usually were... with Kalawarna initiating, true, but still.

He settled into the coach on the other side of Kaho from Momo, placing a bowl of chips in easy reach. "This sure is a different release, huh. Four units from four different teams, plus a accessory which can't be legally used."

"I do need to slow down on new teams, there's quite a bit and some of the newer ones need more support," I justified. "Besides, the AI mode should add some extra value to the purchase, like the movie tie in I never actually saw."

"Still, Norse mythology," Momo thought out loud, as she bumped her hand against Saji's deliberately while reaching for a chip. "Mjolnir Replica as the key accessory. Gleipnir, the Chains unique. Peach-scented Wolf, a generic Wanderer and Familiar, is implied to be Momotaro's, but the three unique accessories are the Norse legendary wolves Fenrir, Skoll and Hati. The Wonder unique, Thokk, Unweeping... that's Loki's female disguise when he prevented Baldr from resurrection, right?"

Momo was very well read. I gave her a nod, and she returned a smile. "The one that perplexed me most is Gandr Kittens, since that's a reference to Jormungandr being disguised as a cat. But unlike Fenrir, Midgardsormr was never supposed to have children."

"Well, the lore is that some evil person is cloning dragons, so these are baby clones of Midgardsormr," I explained, and everyone except the two kids winced as they realised what I was implying. "It's a good excuse to give a generic to a team without one... though I doubt anyone other than Reya will run them."

"That one looks like Rurunee!" Gengo cheered as he pointed out Gleipnir. Honestly, that just kind of happened - her alter ego was hot due to the ridiculous name movie and they clearly wanted to cash in, but who else would be more suited to handling legendary chains? The win condition was to get her or Hansel in contact with the three wolves, while smacking Thokk with someone equipped with Mjolnir.

"If Sempai thinks I can do it, I will," Ruruko said, her usual behaviour restrained.

"It's not something that can be done by one person alone, " I warned her. "That's why it's a two person game, right?"

"Don't worry, Sempai. I won't let you down. Gen-chan or Reya-sempai either."

Koneko

Akeno-sempai was seething. Koneko understood. It was one thing for your fellow girls to stalk you on a date. That was just part of the game, and Akeno-sempai had enjoyed teasing them too. Getting interrupted by your hated family, who try to cancel your date? Well, it wasn't a date, but Koneko had gotten all her friends to pound nee-sama, so that was what she felt was appropriate.

Unfortunately, Barakiel was not a terrorist as so could not be sent flying. So Koneko changed her gaze to the perverted old man who was currently being smacked on the head by his Valkyrie escort for ogling Rias-sempai and Akeno-sempai's oppai. In light of that, she revised her opinion of the early Ise-sempai up several notches.

"She's a virgin girl where her 'years she didn't have a boyfriend' equals her age," Odin-sama said lecherously, sending Rossweisse-san collapsing to the floor. "Well, the business world of battle maidens is also having a hard time. Even if there are those with looks, they are mostly those who are not outstanding. Lately the number of heroes and yuusha have decreased, and the Valkyrie squad has been minimised because of the lack of funds, so even this one was at the corner of the room until before she became my escort."

"By 'lately', you mean since the 12th century, don't you?" Rias-sempai sharply cut in. "On top of that, in the 19th century, there was a revival in interest. I heard that is why the other old mythologies classify the Norse as an 'extant religion' like Shinto." After Motohama-sempai's reveal, all of them were made to study Norse mythology. Though things like the relationships between other mythologies were only available to heiress like Rias-sempai.

"Haha, while it's true our 'faith' is growing, heroes are still declining. After all, for humans, it's the age of mechanised warfare. When a young boy climbed all the way up Yggdrasil, the whole of Valahalla threw a celebration... Frigg also punched me into the ceiling... The third lane of the Bifrost became nonfunctional for half a century... On top of that, Loki and Freya all got involved as well... Perhaps it's for the best that this Valkyrie doesn't marry..."

"Wait, how did Waltraute-onee-sama's story enter this? Don't talk nonsense! She is the idol of all young Walkures! Ah, I also wish a gallant man will propose to me that way..." In conclusion, Valkyries and romance were stronger than the Chief God of the Norse pantheon. Noted. However, Sempai was off limits. Koneko was a girl who learnt from her mistakes! No matter if the fate of the world was at stake, she would not enable some other girl to creep into Sempai's harem!

"Well, during jiji's stay here, all of you and one head of the Grigori are to act as his guard," Azazel-sensei explained. "Since I'm busy with a lot of things, Barakiel will substitute for me when I can't make it. Though, why are you here so early? Your meeting with the Shinto gods is still quite a few days away."

"In our country there is a bit of trouble... Actually there is a troublesome lad who is against my ways. I thought I should move things faster before he does something. That's why I want to discuss several things with the Japanese Gods. Until now, we were basically unsociable to each other and we didn't have any connections."

The 'lad' would be...

"You are a little late for that," Rias-sempai informed him. "Loki has released the three wolves of Ragnarok and is planning to disrupt things already. Moreover..." A menacing ringtone plays out. Oops. She forgot to silence her phone.

Koneko hastily fished out her phone. A message from Rurukchi? "An evil force is practicing mass-producing dragons," she reported. "Likely, since Loki has made contact with Khaos Brigade, Midgardsormr has had his materials taken from him and used to mass produce copies. The recommended tasks to counter this are to reach out to the Vali team for the use of Excalibur Ruler, to prepare a replica of Mjolnir, and to allow Nimura Ruruko to incorporate Gleipnir into herself."

Odin-sama's eye widens and suddenly, she wasn't being stared at by some perverted geezer, but a god of both war and wisdom. Sempai wrapped his arms around her protectively. "Hoh? To think the Devils have a seer on their side. Hmm... Nimura Ruruko was the girl who challenged the Sekiryuutei, wasn't she. Yes, indeed, I had said that girl was one who would open the path to Ultimate-class without any inborn cheats. But to integrate Gleipnir... not even I know if such a thing is possible. Azazel-shounen, what do you think?"

"It's that mysterious source no one wants to talk about again?! Fine, I know how this goes," Azazel-sensei glared at everyone as they avert their eyes. "If it was any other person, I would say no... but that one is certainly special. Although she was certainly born with nothing except 'potential', she manifested an affinity to chains through sheer desire. Moreover, she is friend with the Jingikaji. If anyone can do it, it is her."

"Very well, then. Rossweisse, make the arrangements," Odin-sama said.

"Ah, yes... Eh? Wait, doesn't that mean I won't be escorting you?" Rossweisse-san asked.

"Of course you won't. After all, I'm going to..." The war god faded, and the perverted old man returned. "The oppai bar!"

Koneko stomped on Sempai's foot so he didn't get any ideas.

"Haha, you sure have good taste, Chief God-dono! Hell yeah, let's go there right now then! Young girls from my organisation opened up a shop in this town for the VIP's recently. I will invite you there then!" Azazel-sensei cheered.

"Uhohoho! To be expected from Azazel-shounen! You sure know your things! Prepare me a big breasted one right away! I'm going to grope many of them!"

"Follow my lead kuso-jiji! Welcome to Japan! Do you want to untie their kimono obi? That is something you must do at least once when you come to Japan! I will show you the Japanese-style!"

"I can't wait for it~ I can't wait for it indeed~!"

Hopeless perverts, all of them. The two linked arms and danced with incredible speed towards the door. Rossweisse-san was paralyzed between following them and doing her assigned duty.

With a sigh, Koneko hopped off Sempai's lap. He, Xenovia-sempai and Rias-sempai were setting up the Ragnarok AI board from where they had hastily hidden it to avoid Odin-sama getting suspicious, and were discussing tactics again. Irina-sempai and Asia-sempai also took out their boards and were playing a normal game. Yuuto-sempai disappeared to play that game he insisted was good for his growth, and Gya-kun... just disappeared. She could help Rias-sempai with the planning, but of everyone here, she most understood the feeling of an estranged family.

At the first floor kitchen, she found them. "…What is the meaning of this, that you are seeing the Sekiryuutei?" Barakiel demanded of Akeno-sempai.

"This is my life. Why do I have to have you comment about this?" Akeno-sempai snapped back.

"I heard rumours. That he is a shameless dragon that fights eating woman's b-breasts as his energy source. And he has another name called Chichiryuutei as well." Rurukichi?! But how did - oh, it was Azazel-sensei again, most likely. She still hadn't forgiven him for 300 Ises. Her Sempai was a dignified person who only occasionally looked at oppais! "I'm worried about you. I'm worried that you are…receiving embarrassing treatments."

"Don't talk about him like that! Ise-kun is a kind and dependable man. Moreover, even the name Chichiryuutei was all made up for a fictitious character. Have you lost the ability to distinguish between fiction and reality? This is why I can't... forgive..."

"I'm saying this as a father-"

"Don't act like a father! Then why didn't you come for me back then!? The one who left Kaa-sama die without helping was you!"

If they keep this up, the kitchen would be destroyed. Koneko liked the kitchen, so she released her ki and let herself be noticed.

"I - Koneko-chan?" Akeno-sempai said, surprised. She was expecting Sempai, wasn't she? Well, if Joffre had bumped into her when she was looking for help against nee-sama, she would have been disappointed too.

"There was someone eavesdropping? One of the Sekiryuutei's comrades... shameless!" Barakiel snapped out.

"Koneko-chan is my comrade. I have known her since I was a child. Tread lightly," Akeno-sempai snarled back.

"...Sorry." Barakiel left quickly. That back was... kind of sad. His and Akeno-sempai's relationship couldn't be equated with nee-sama and hers.

"I'm sorry you had to see that, Koneko-chan," Akeno-sempai said, then leaned down to hug her.

"No problem. According to the prediction, I will have to work with nee-sama soon," she replied. "I was also... looking for a easy solution. Even though such convenient things don't exist."

"In the end, we are all princesses waiting to be saved by a dragon, aren't we?" Akeno-sempai laughed softly into her hair. If it meant she could recover some of her strength, she would let Akeno-sempai do this for as long as she needed.