Chapter 51: Leaders Summit - 1
The conversation in the clubroom settled into a quiet hum as everyone prepared to go their separate ways. Akeno, standing by Rias, gave her a small nod. "Rias, I think it's time for us to go."
Rias, who had been listening to the ongoing discussions, turned her attention toward Akeno and then to the others. "Ah, yes. If you'll excuse us, Akeno and I must leave for a meeting regarding the upcoming Leaders Summit," she said with a polite smile.
"And Kiba, I need you to accompany us as well.sir zecs wantend to see your sword—particularly your Balance Breaker."
Kiba, who had been quietly observing the events unfold, nodded in agreement. "Of course, Rias."
As the three of them turned to leave, Raizel, who had been quietly contemplating the meeting, stood up and prepared to make his exit as well.
His expression was neutral as always, but there was a flicker of anticipation in his eyes.
-----
The early morning light bathed the training ground in a soft glow, the atmosphere charged with the promise of both excitement and anticipation.
Raizel stood silently, his posture calm and composed as he observed the others who were in the midst of training. Issei was working with Gasper, trying to help him better control his powers, while Kiba and the others were practicing their techniques nearby.
Raizel had taken a step back from the activity, preferring to observe and allow the others to grow in their own way. His eyes flicked toward the dense forest on the edge of the training area, his senses alert.
He had felt a presence approaching, one that was familiar yet unpredictable. It wasn't long before Azazel emerged from the trees, his ever-present mischievous grin spreading across his face as he walked toward the group.
Issei, ever the eager warrior, immediately noticed Azazel's arrival. His eyes narrowed in suspicion, his hand instinctively moving to his sacred gear.
"Azazel," he muttered under his breath, bracing himself for whatever antics the fallen angel might have in store this time. "What's he doing here?"
Raizel, who had been silently watching, didn't flinch at Azazel's arrival. His eyes remained as steady as ever, but there was a subtle tension in his posture that suggested he was ready for whatever came next. "Azazel," Raizel greeted him, his voice as calm as always. "I didn't expect you to show up unannounced."
Azazel shrugged nonchalantly, his hands in his pockets as he walked toward the group. "Well, you know me, Raizel. I like to keep things interesting. Besides, I thought I'd drop by and see how everyone's training is going. Is everything in order here?"
Issei's gaze shifted back and forth between Azazel and Raizel, his suspicion growing. "Azazel," he said cautiously, "what are you really here for? You're not here to cause trouble, are you?"
Azazel raised an eyebrow at the red dragon emperor's defensive stance. "Come now, Issei, you wound me," he said with a chuckle. "I'm not here to fight. Just here for a little visit, that's all. Though, I will admit, I'm curious to see how that little vampire is progressing."
Gasper, who had been nervously adjusting his glasses and trying to control his powers, looked over at Azazel with a mix of uncertainty and curiosity.
The moment his eyes met Azazel's, he instinctively took a step back, still feeling the weight of his suppressed vampire bloodline.
Raizel, sensing the tension rising between Issei and Azazel, intervened before things could escalate. "Azazel," he said calmly, "perhaps you should be more considerate of the situation. We're not here to deal with distractions." His voice was firm, but not hostile.
Azazel raised his hands in mock surrender, his grin never faltering. "Alright, alright. I get it. I won't mess with your training. I'm just here to observe... for now."
The brief moment of tension hung in the air before Azazel finally broke it, his tone shifting to something more serious. "By the way, Raizel," he said, his smile fading slightly, "I'm sure you've noticed the upcoming Leaders Summit, right? The situation is becoming more complicated. I just thought it might be a good idea for us to touch base before things get... too interesting."
Raizel's expression grew more contemplative, his gaze focused on Azazel. "I understand," he replied, his voice low. "There's a lot at stake. But we'll handle things when the time comes."
Issei, still a bit uneasy, relaxed his stance, though he kept his eyes on Azazel. "I still don't trust you," he muttered, his voice barely above a whisper.
Azazel chuckled at that, clearly enjoying the banter. "Trust me, Issei. You're going to need me more than you think."
As the tension in the air began to dissipate, Raizel glanced over at Gasper, who was still trying to maintain control of his abilities. With a soft sigh, Raizel decided it was time to intervene. "Gasper," he called out, his voice calm but authoritative. "Focus. The key to controlling your power is acceptance, not fear."
Gasper hesitated for a moment before nodding, his face flushing slightly as he took a deep breath and began to concentrate.
The process wasn't easy, and his powers fought back against his attempts to control them, but Raizel's presence seemed to offer him the guidance and calm he needed.
Azazel observed quietly, his usual playfulness replaced by a quiet respect as he watched Raizel interact with Gasper.
"Impressive," he muttered under his breath. "You really know how to teach. Though, I wouldn't expect anything less from the Noblesse."
Raizel gave a small nod, acknowledging Azazel's words but offering no further comment. His focus remained on Gasper, watching him carefully as he made progress.
For a moment, everything seemed peaceful. The training continued, and the interactions between the group became more natural, with the tension easing. For now, they continued their training.
----
The next day arrived with the usual hum of activity that filled the academy. Students moved through the halls.
Among the crowd, Raizel and Akeno walked side by side, their closeness evident to everyone around them. The bond between them had grown stronger, and their quiet moments together, though subtle.
Raizel, as always, exuded a calm presence, his dark red eyes taking in everything with a quiet intensity. He seemed almost unaffected by the bustle around him, his mind perhaps focused on something else—something only he could understand.
Akeno, on the other hand, moved with a grace that belied the storm of emotions she often kept hidden behind her teasing demeanor.
As they continued to walk, Akeno's hand intertwined with his, a quiet gesture that spoke volumes of their growing affection.
Raizel, sensing her unease, gave her a small, reassuring smile, squeezing her hand gently. he said quietly. "You don't need to worry about anything."
Akeno's breath caught in her throat, but she smiled back, feeling the weight of his words settle in her heart. "Thank you," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.
The day unfolded quietly, with the usual classes and interactions. Issei, of course, was as energetic as ever, though he seemed to keep his distance from Raizel and Akeno, perhaps out of respect—or jealousy.
The others, Kiba, Xenovia, and Asia, carried on with their tasks, and though the academy's atmosphere was filled with the typical noise of student life, there was an undeniable sense of anticipation in the air.
By the time lunch rolled around, Raizel and Akeno found themselves once again together, sitting under the shade of a tree.
The sounds of laughter and chatter filled the air around them, but here, in this small corner of the world, it felt as though time slowed just for them.
"Raizel," Akeno began, her voice low as she glanced at him from the corner of her eye. "What do you think will happen at the summit? Will things really change?"
Raizel paused, his eyes momentarily lost in thought as he considered her question. The leaders of the various factions—angels, devils, fallen angels—had been planning the summit for some time now, and tensions had been rising in ways no one could fully predict.
"It's hard to say," Raizel finally replied, his voice steady. "The factions are divided, and some have their own agendas. But one thing is certain... change is inevitable."
Akeno nodded, though her eyes were filled with a quiet concern. She had never been one to shy away from conflict, but the idea of facing what was to come with Raizel, the one person who seemed to always see through everything, brought both comfort and fear.
"You're not worried?" she asked, almost as if she didn't expect an answer.
Raizel's gaze softened as he met her eyes. "I'm always prepared. But no matter what happens, I won't let anything happen to you."
The words were simple, but they were enough. Akeno's heart fluttered in her chest, and she found herself leaning in closer to him, drawn to the steady calm he exuded.
She didn't say anything more, letting the silence stretch between them, each lost in their own thoughts but comforted by the shared presence of the other.
....