Reincarnated in the World of High School DxD

"The Holy Sword Project?"

Rias nodded in response to Issei's question.

"Yes, Yumi is the sole survivor of that experiment."

It was after their club activities, just as everyone was preparing to leave.

Rias had called Kazuki, Issei, and Asia aside, saying she had something important to share. What followed was the revelation of Yumi Kiba's traumatic past.

Years ago, a secret project known as the Holy Sword Project had been undertaken within the ranks of Christianity. Its aim was to artificially create individuals capable of wielding the Holy Sword, Excalibur—a weapon of unparalleled power against devils.

The sword, however, was notoriously selective about its wielder, choosing only one suitable human every few decades, if at all.

Some within the Church grew impatient. They viewed the inactivity of such a powerful weapon as wasteful and devised a plan to forcibly implant the "Holy Sword Wielder Gene" into children deemed to have potential. Their hope was to mass-produce individuals compatible with Excalibur.

The experiment failed miserably. None of the children adapted to the Holy Sword, and all were deemed "defective" and summarily executed—or so it was thought.

Yumi Kiba was the sole exception.

She had barely escaped being disposed of, aided by her fellow test subjects, who gave their lives to help her flee. Left critically wounded, she was eventually found and saved by Rias.

Rias had reincarnated Yumi as a devil, not out of a desire to bolster her peerage but to give her a second chance, a life free from the torment inflicted upon her by the Holy Sword and the Church.

Though initially consumed by hatred for both the Holy Sword and all associated with the Church, Yumi gradually mellowed under Rias's guidance.

She even began to smile, though it was clear her rage had merely been suppressed, not extinguished.

That fragile lid had now been torn open.

Yumi's desire for vengeance against Excalibur had been reignited, her emotions spiraling out of control.

The catalyst? A photograph.

Kazuki Fuwa couldn't help but feel anxious. He didn't blame himself, but there was no shaking the heavy sense of guilt.

The conversation ended, and Rias decided to send Issei and Asia home while Kazuki lingered.

"I'm sorry, Rias. There's no doubt that picture set her off," Kazuki admitted.

"It's not your fault," Rias replied softly. "But... Kazuki, does someone in your family have ties to the Church?"

"No, not really!! My mom was a devout Christian, but she passed away years ago. That photo was taken with my childhood friend and her father, who was a pastor. I don't even know where they are now."

"I see... Sorry for prying."

Kazuki gently placed a hand on Rias's shoulder.

"Don't worry about it… Still, I'm worried about Yumi."

Rias placed her hand over his, leaning into his touch.

"Me too..."

They stood together, gazing out the window as the rain continued to pour.

The following day brought an unexpected turn of events.

After school, Rias was summoned by Sona Sitri, the student council president, and brought Kazuki and Akeno with her to the student council room.

There, they were informed that two Holy Sword wielders dispatched by the Church had arrived in Kuoh Town. They had requested a formal negotiation with Rias, the devil overseeing the area.

The wielders had promised to visit the Occult Research Club room the following night under the condition that no hostilities would be initiated.

While the reason for the negotiation remained unclear, Rias had no choice but to comply.

She informed her peerage to be present for the meeting. However, complications arose sooner than expected.

That evening, one of the Holy Sword wielders showed up uninvited at Issei's house.

The wielder, it turned out, was Issei's childhood friend. She had taken the opportunity to drop by and greet his family, oblivious to the tensions her presence caused.

Issei's unsuspecting mother welcomed her warmly, inviting her in for tea and conversation.

Issei and his companions arrived home mid-visit, instantly recognizing her identity. Though both sides knew exactly who the other was, no conflict occurred.

The Church, it seemed, wished to avoid unnecessary confrontation before the negotiation, and Issei—knowing he was no match—wisely kept his temper in check.

After about thirty minutes of polite chatter, the visitor left. While Issei's mother remained delighted, Issei himself confessed he'd spent the entire time in a state of near panic.

Rias, upon hearing this, immediately teleported to Issei's house to check on him. Thankfully, both he and his family were unharmed.

Still, the revelation that Issei's childhood friend had become a Holy Sword wielder complicated matters.

Kazuki couldn't have predicted how this twist would come to haunt him as well in the days to come.

The following night, the entire Gremory peerage had gathered in the clubroom.

Rias and Akeno sat on the reception sofa, waiting for the two individuals they had been warned about. The atmosphere in the room was tense, almost suffocating.

For devils, Holy Sword wielders were the ultimate threat. Depending on the wielder, a single strike could mean utter annihilation.

The tension in the air wasn't just from the knowledge that such dangerous adversaries were about to enter their domain.

It was Yumi's presence that amplified the unease.

Yumi's eyes were locked onto the door, her entire body taut like a predator ready to strike.

She looked as though the moment the wielders stepped through that door, she'd lunge at them without hesitation and fuck them up.

Kazuki exchanged a glance with Issei and Koneko, silently agreeing they would intervene if Yumi lost control.

Eventually, ~KNOCK… KNOCK~ there was a knock at the door.

"Come in," Rias called out.

The door opened, and Sona Sitri stepped inside.

"Rias, I've brought your guests."

"Thank you, Sona!! Please, come in."

At Rias's cue, Sona gestured for the two individuals outside to enter...

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