High School DxD: Lustful Ascension

The ground shook as tree trunks snapped, and dust filled the air. Hakata Tetsuya charged through several massive trees but couldn't even touch Qingqiu's hem. Panting heavily, he stopped and glared at Qingqiu.

"You're like a flea, dodging around. Is that how a man fights? Come at me head-on like before," Hakata taunted.

Qingqiu looked at him disdainfully, as if he were a fool. "Just because you're not too bright, don't assume everyone else is like you."

Qingqiu was eager to keep him talking, knowing Hakata's second transformation wouldn't last long. If it could, he wouldn't have waited until he was questioning his life choices to use it.

"How long can you keep this up?" Qingqiu asked, recovering his stamina and magic. "If you can hold out for another ten minutes, I'll concede."

Hakata's already unpleasant face twisted further. He could see that Qingqiu was using an unsustainable method to avoid attacks. Qingqiu might last ten minutes, but Hakata could barely manage five.

Seeing Hakata's grim expression, Qingqiu felt a little relieved. If Hakata charged again without a word, Qingqiu might have had to consider calling for backup.

In truth, Qingqiu's magic reserves could barely sustain him for another seven or eight minutes, and he'd be exhausted afterward.

"Half the battle is surrendering," Qingqiu continued to stall. "If you give up now, we'll call it quits."

Hakata, though not particularly bright, wasn't entirely foolish. He realized Qingqiu was stalling, but he was genuinely unwilling to continue fighting because he couldn't even touch Qingqiu.

Suppressing his anger, Hakata said, "You started this, and now you want to just end it?"

"What? Expecting me to apologize?" Qingqiu raised an eyebrow, sensing that Hakata was truly at his limit.

Hakata clenched his fists, tempted to push through regardless. But he held back, knowing his skill's time was nearly up.

"Cough, cough..."

After a moment of silent confrontation, Hakata collapsed, coughing up blood as he reverted to his human form.

"Tsk, tsk, such a short duration, and you dare show your face?" Qingqiu mocked, nudging Hakata's leg with his foot. Satisfied that Hakata wasn't faking, he finally relaxed.

Hakata wanted to retaliate, but the aftereffects of his transformation left him too weak to even speak. Once the skill's time ended, he was practically a cripple, and Qingqiu could have ended him as easily as squashing an ant. This was why he accepted defeat.

"That was intense—very different from bullying delinquents," Qingqiu mused, exhaling deeply. It wasn't the most elegant victory, but it was still a win, and a 1v1 at that.

As for dealing with the other two seniors... he decided to strategize further before taking action.

Leaving Hakata lying on the ground like a defeated dog, Qingqiu approached the still-stunned Issei Hyoudou.

"Hyoudou-kun."

"..."

"Hyoudou-kun!"

"..."

"HYODOU-KUN!!!"

"Ah! I'm here!" Issei jolted, finally snapping back to reality.

Qingqiu clicked his tongue. "Just in time. Any longer, and I'd have had to wake you up physically."

"I know today's events must have been overwhelming for you," Qingqiu said, patting Issei's shoulder with a friendly expression. "If you have questions, you can come find me tomorrow."

"Ah... okay. Don't worry, I'll keep it secret," Issei promised, covering his mouth seriously.

"Uh... actually, it doesn't matter if you tell anyone," Qingqiu scratched his head. "No one would believe you anyway."

Issei: "..."

"Of course, keeping it secret is best."

Qingqiu glanced at Issei's arm, wondering if the Red Dragon Emperor's gauntlet had yet to manifest... Qingqiu himself was interested in acquiring a Sacred Gear.

Issei had no idea what Qingqiu was thinking; he just wanted to go home and process everything. "Um... if you're busy, Uesugi-kun, I'll head home. My mom's waiting for dinner."

"Sure," Qingqiu replied. "Need me to walk you out?"

"No, no need."

Seeing the bloodstains on Qingqiu's clothes, Issei shook his head vigorously.

Qingqiu waved him off and turned back to Hakata. The matter of the Sacred Gear couldn't be rushed; it was best to deal with the present situation first.

As Qingqiu dragged Hakata out like a dead dog, Issei returned.

Qingqiu: [?_??]

"Um... Uesugi-kun, I don't know the way out..."

Issei looked distressed, fearing Hakata might claim they were in cahoots. If he hadn't been lost, he wouldn't have come back.

Qingqiu patted his shoulder, understanding. "Then come with me."

He planned to take Hakata to the Occult Research Club for further interrogation.

Issei glanced nervously at the weakened Hakata, relieved when he didn't react, and nodded quickly.

"By the way, why were you with Hakata Tetsuya here today?"

With nothing better to do, Qingqiu chatted with Issei.

Issei froze, breaking out in a cold sweat. If Qingqiu knew he was there to help Hakata, he probably wouldn't leave unscathed.

Qingqiu had one hand free, after all.

"Well... um..."

Stammering, Issei couldn't think of an excuse and ended up telling the truth.

Qingqiu didn't care if Issei had been helping Hakata. His involvement wouldn't have changed the outcome of the fight.

---

"I'm heading to the club next. Hyoudou-kun, you know the way from here, right?"

"Yes, yes," Issei replied quickly, seeing the club building ahead.

He had wanted to leave as soon as they exited the magical barrier, fearing Qingqiu might hold him accountable for siding with Hakata.

Once Issei was gone, Qingqiu allowed Tsubaki and Akeno to appear.

Tsubaki looked puzzled. "Qingqiu, why didn't you let us show ourselves earlier?"

"Wouldn't it have been easier if we'd helped you carry him away?" Akeno asked curiously. "You could have gotten treatment sooner."

Qingqiu waved dismissively. "It's just a small wound. If you'd been seen, it might have caused trouble later."

"Hakata Tetsuya brought a regular person along, probably planning for this."

Even though Hakata couldn't speak, he couldn't help but groan in response to Qingqiu's words. His strategy had indeed been seen through, and his previous concerns were valid—there really were women supporting Qingqiu. Without Issei, he probably wouldn't have even had a 1v1 chance today.

[•———•——•———•]

𝙥𝗮𝙩𝙧𝙚𝙤𝙣(.)𝙘𝙤𝙢/𝙂𝙤𝙙𝙊𝙛𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙚𝙧

✨ • 𝗘𝘅𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀: 𝙂𝙚𝙩 𝟲𝟬+ 𝙖𝙙𝙫𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙙 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙖𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙤𝙛 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙚𝙡𝙨𝙚.