High School DxD: Lustful Ascension

Akeno, with her keen intuition, sensed there was more to the story. "Is that really all?"

Qingqiu replied decisively, "That's all."

As for the Sacred Gear and the original protagonist...

The storyline wasn't set in stone. Since Qingqiu had arrived in this world, he had no intention of following fate blindly. Regardless of what the future held, keeping Issei away from them for now had no downsides.

Firstly, it could minimize changes to the storyline, allowing Qingqiu's 'foreknowledge' to remain relevant for a while longer. Secondly, it would make it easier to pursue the Red Dragon Emperor's gauntlet.

Whether or not he retained his foreknowledge was irrelevant; the second point was Qingqiu's real priority. He had considered approaching Issei directly, but that would be too obvious and lacked a reasonable excuse. If someone investigated, it wouldn't be hard to discern his ulterior motives.

Who would have thought that Tetsuya Hakata would provide such an opportunity?

To show appreciation, if Tetsuya Hakata cooperates well, there will be no need for further punishment.

Under the cover of magic, Tetsuya Hakata was smoothly transferred to the activity room of the Occult Research Club.

"Tsk tsk, didn't they say this club was about to be shut down? It doesn't look like it at all."

This was Qingqiu's first time in the Occult Research Club's activity room. Larger than a classroom, it was fully carpeted in red, with magnificent chandeliers shining brilliantly.

Leather sofas, solid wood coffee tables...

Even the furniture looked like something ordinary people couldn't afford.

In short, it didn't look like a club on the verge of closing; it was several levels better than the student council room.

Himejima Akeno smiled without saying a word; after all, the academy belonged to the Gremory family. The future head's club activity room had to be the best.

Shinra Tsubaki explained a bit, "The previous Occult Research Club wasn't here. Rather than saying Rias and Akeno took over a nearly-defunct club, it's more accurate to say they used the name to start their own club."

Considering the composition of the Occult Research Club, Qingqiu agreed with Shinra Tsubaki's explanation.

The club president was Rias herself, and all the members were her servants.

Creating such a place was purely for convenience in holding meetings and handling requests.

"Uesugi-kun, are you going to interrogate him yourself, or wait for the president?"

Himejima Akeno showed a friendly smile, "Of course, I can help with the interrogation too."

"Senpai Akeno, your expression is quite dangerous..." Qingqiu suppressed his curiosity and stopped looking around.

Himejima Akeno feigned surprise, "Oh dear, this is just my normal expression."

Qingqiu: "..."

"I'll do it myself, no need to trouble you, Senpai Akeno."

Leaving Tetsuya Hakata to this mischievous girl would likely result in a wrongful conviction.

Himejima Akeno tilted her head innocently.

Ignoring the mischievous act, Qingqiu squatted down and poked Tetsuya Hakata.

"Hey, can you talk now?"

Tetsuya Hakata: …(艹皿艹)

"Oh, guess not."

Qingqiu scratched his head, wondering if he needed to get him to the infirmary for treatment first.

"Why did you get yourself into such a mess?"

Tetsuya Hakata's most serious injuries were from the aftereffects, followed by the injuries from being dragged along by Qingqiu, and lastly from their 1V1 fight.

Since neither of them knew any combat techniques, their punches looked fierce but only caused bruises and swelling.

There's a saying, to learn how to attack, you must first learn how to get hit.

Qingqiu agreed with this, as long as he had Mirror Reflection, he wouldn't suffer losses.

Tetsuya Hakata didn't understand and didn't want to get beaten, so he ended up severely injured.

Faced with Qingqiu's sarcasm, Tetsuya Hakata was left speechless.

He didn't want this either, but he got carried away at the time.

Had he known Himejima Akeno and Shinra Tsubaki were always there, he would have stuck to a straightforward 1V1 fight without using his transformation.

Because the outcome would have been the same regardless.

While Qingqiu was feeling troubled, Himejima Akeno spoke up with a smile.

"I know a little healing magic."

Qingqiu: "So? Why don't you use it?"

"Someone just said they didn't want to trouble me."

Qingqiu: "..."

This mischievous girl not only enjoys teasing people but also holds grudges.

With no other choice, Qingqiu apologized sincerely.

"Senpai Akeno, I was wrong."

Himejima Akeno smiled more happily and waved her hand, releasing a green glow.

"I'm not very skilled in healing magic, but I can at least restore him to the point where he can speak."

"That's enough."

Qingqiu squatted down again in front of Tetsuya Hakata, "Hey, stop pretending. You heard everything just now, didn't you? Start talking."

Tetsuya Hakata: "..."

"Still not talking? Do you want a beating?"

"Why don't you ask something first?" Tetsuya Hakata said angrily, "How can I confess to anything if you don't ask?"

Qingqiu smirked, "Tsk, guess it really wasn't you."

He wasn't trying to be funny; he just wanted to test Tetsuya Hakata.

If Tetsuya Hakata was targeting him, this wouldn't be his reaction.

Qingqiu had thought that this guy seemed too dumb to pull off such behind-the-scenes maneuvers.

Thinking is one thing, but procedures must be followed.

"Name."

"Tetsuya Hakata."

"Age."

"Sixteen."

"Gender."

Tetsuya Hakata: "..."

Qingqiu glanced at him, "Gender."

"Brother, I call you brother, please stop messing with me. Just ask what you want to know."

Tetsuya Hakata was on the verge of collapse, unable to understand why he'd provoked Qingqiu.

"You know what you've done!" Qingqiu glared, bluffing, "The victims came to us for revenge."

Tetsuya Hakata: "Is it about the photo selling?"

Qingqiu's eyes lit up, but he remained calm, "No."

"Then... the drugging?"

"Not that either."

"It can't be about the underwear theft, right?"

"Heh heh heh."

Laughing until Tetsuya Hakata began questioning his life choices, Qingqiu looked up at Shinra Tsubaki.

"Tsubaki-senpai, I told you these guys aren't clean. It's never wrong to bring them in for questioning."

Shinra Tsubaki shook her head, "Not everyone is as dumb as he is."

"True." Qingqiu wholeheartedly agreed.

At this moment, Tetsuya Hakata finally realized, "What do you mean? You tricked me?!"

Qingqiu looked at him with pity, "About what you just mentioned, we'll discuss it further at the student council. For now, let me ask you..."

Qingqiu quickly explained the situation to Tetsuya Hakata, and as expected, it had nothing to do with him.

"Why did you suspect me?" Tetsuya Hakata felt wronged and couldn't help but ask.

"The rumors first appeared on the school forum, but the original post was deleted, and it couldn't be traced back."

Shinra Tsubaki adjusted her glasses, "Our investigation showed that the account you used not only participated in spreading the rumors but also had the capability to prevent being traced back to you."

[•———•——•———•]

𝙥𝗮𝙩𝙧𝙚𝙤𝙣(.)𝙘𝙤𝙢/𝙂𝙤𝙙𝙊𝙛𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙚𝙧

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