Whenever Issei told a story of his first Rating Game he always told how after he split with Akeno he met with Kiba and they walked together to the sports court talking about the game. He never mentioned how the [Knight] nearly caused him a heart attack appearing out of nowhere and grabbing his arm, or how the blond made their talk awkward claiming to be "the one who goes from "behind"", he would rather forget that part.

The sports court was guarded by one [Knight], one [Rook], and one [Bishop], three out of nine opponents left. They had only five members left, so they were still in disadvantage.

Before they got a chance to discuss their strategy they heard a woman voice.

"I'm the [Knight] of Raiser Phoenix-sama, Carlamaine! I've become bored of trying to sniff through each other's strategy! Rias Gremory's [Knight]! I challenge you to a duel!"

She was standing at the center of the baseball court, clad in armor holding a sheathed sword in front of her.

"Since she introduced herself, I can't hide myself both as a [Knight] and as a swordsman." Kiba said as he left her cover.

"That idiot..." Issei sighed following his friend.

They reached the woman and exchanged greetings, and after she praised their lack of sanity the [Knights] began their fight. Issei stood to the side not sure what to do; while he didn't agree with Kiba and he thought that accepting duel was stupid, he wasn't going to interject if only because it would kill the tension.

'Should I cheer him?' he wondered if that would make him look silly.

"You seem bored." he turned to the voice and saw a woman wearing a mask that just covers half of her face, Riser's [Rook].

"Geez, this only seems like a mud fight since both of them only thinks about swords, swords and swords. Carlamaine was making a bitter face when the [Pawns] were being sacrificed, so does she hate the battle strategy planned by her Master who happens to be her [King]? Furthermore, when I thought I found a cute boy, he also happens to be a sword freak so I can't stand this." girl who is wearing a dress like the ones worn by western princesses and has a drill-shaped hairstyle on both sides complained coming closer.

'Beautiful... She looks like a real princess' Issei thought stunned by her appearance. He notices how she was looking at him with weird eyes.

"Hmm. So this boy is the [Pawn] that Rias Gremory adores? Does that person have a bad taste in looking at gentleman?"

"Rude..." he whispered, her personality appeared to be opposite to her great looks ruining the impression he had of her.

"I will not lower myself to participate in this mud fight. Isabella, why don't you be his opponent?" She moved away after she got a confirmation from the [Rook].

"I was planning to in the first place. Now then, let's fight since we are both bored."

"Ah, yeah. That's okay, but isn't that [Bishop] going to fight?" Issei asked, his eyes still on the girl; he wondered why she decided to withdraw from what was supposed to be an important fight.

Hearing that question the masked woman put her hand on her forehead and made a troubled face.

"Ah, don't worry about her. That girl is special. She will be mostly observing for this fight as well."

"W-What the hell is that!?" Issei's mouth moved faster than his brain and he blabbed.

"She is—. No, that person is Ravel Phoenix. Raiser-sama's little sister. She became Raiser-sama's servant by using a special method, but she is Raiser-sama's actual sister. Now, here I come! Rias Gremory's [Pawn]!"

He moved to his side avoiding the attack still looking at the girl.

"One moment, please." he said to Isabella raising his hand to stop her "You're having sex with your brother?!" his brain was working overtime trying to decide what he thought about that.

"N-no! What makes you think that?! Who do you think you are to say something like that to me anyway?!" Ravel shouted, her face as red as Rias' hair from embarrassment and anger.

"Your brother called his peerage his harem, didn't he?" Issei tilted his head confused by her reaction.

"I-I... She told you I'm a special case!" she turned away with a 'hmph'.

Issei moved his eyes to the [Rook], who was standing to his left awkwardly, looking for an explanation.

"According to Raiser-sama, "Having your sister in your harem has a significant meaning. You know the significant view of having your close relatives? You know how there are people who look up to and also get jealous about it? Well, I'm not into little sisters, so I have her in my group as fashion."."

'Fashion? It's gross, not fashionable... Unless it's something different for devils. I'd love to have a little sister to spoil but placing her in harem seems wrong, it's supposed to be a different kind of relationship. That bird...' he shook his head to clear his thoughts.

"I see. Sorry, I guess" he offered a smile to the girl but she only 'hmph' once more. He shrugged and turned his attention to the [Rook]. "Sorry I kept you waiting, let's start. Boosted Gear!"

[Boosted Gear second liberation]

Issei glimpsed at the gauntlet, it looked slightly different than before: there was the second jewel up on his arm, same as the one on his hand. However, he didn't get a chance to ask Ddraig what that means, because Isabella began her attack as soon as he summoned his Sacred Gear.

He barely dodged her attacks troubled by her fighting style: she was a [Rook] but for him that fight felt more like his sparrings with Kiba than with Koneko; partially because she was taller than her, but mostly because she used her arms similar to the way the [Knight] was using his swords. Her punches were coming from unpredictable places and angles and whenever he thought he avoided one of them completely it came back like a whip not giving him a chance to counter.

He was so focused on dodging her arms that he forgot that they aren't the only way the [Rooks] can attack. He was remained of that by a quick yet powerful kick to the stomach followed by a hook, which sent him to the ground.

[Reset]

'Damn, that hurt like hell and it stopped my boosting' he thought standing up.

"Is that all you've got?" the [Rook] taunted.

"I'm not dead yet." Issei responded flatly.

"I see. Sorry, I was taking you lightly, but to tell you the truth, I thought I got you when my kick hit you… Looks like Rias Gremory has been training you well. Especially your stamina is magnificent. It seems I have to try harder, so I'll put one gear, no, I will increase by two gears then!"

Issei looked at his opponent with teary eyes.

'She's not making fun of me... quite the opposite in fact. She praised me. Me! Not the gauntlet or the dragon inside!' he ignored the fact that part of his power is coming from his/Ddraig wings focusing on the training he did with Buchou's help.

'That's the spirit. Wake up those flames inside you and fight' Ddraig thought not saying anything to not ruin his partner moment.

"…Looks like I said something unnecessary. I felt your pressure increase."

"[Rook] Isabella, thank you. You have no idea how much those words mean to me. I am the weakest and the least experienced member of Rias Gremory-sama's group. But still, I will defeat you and your [King]!"

Their talk was interrupted by pieces of Kiba's now broken sword hitting the ground nearby. In unspoken agreement, they decided to extend the pause and they turned to see what the [Knights] were doing.

"Your sword of darkness is no match for my blade" Carlamaine smirked and pointed her sword covered in flames at Kiba who only shrugged and smiled still keeping the handle from the broken sword in hand.

"That's fine, it's not everything of my Sacred Gear. Freeze!"

The temperature dropped around them and it would seem that it was caused by the ice gathered around Kiba's arm piling up and taking the shape of the sword.

"In front of this sword, "Flame Delete", all types of fire will disappear."

'Ice sword? Sword against the fire? That's great, Kiba! But since when you have it? I've never seen it' Issei thought shocked.

"A-Absurd! Are you telling me that you have two Sacred Gears!?" Riser's [Knight] yelled attacking the boy who simply raised his weapon and parried.

The instant Carlamaine's sword touched Kiba's sword, the flame sword started to freeze and turned into a solid. When the ice reached the middle of the blade it broke and disappeared.

"We are the members of the all mighty House of Phoenix that rule over fire and wind! Taste it! The whirlwind of fire!" she screamed creating said whirlwind with her and Kiba in the middle of it. Blows of hot wind reached the edge of the baseball court where Issei and Isabella were standing.

"That Carlamaine. Has she forgotten that her allies are here as well!?" Isabella comments, while using her arm to guard her face.

Young dragon was so preoccupied with the flames that he didn't notice Ravel observing him with a frown.

'Isabella is a [Rook] resurrected by my brother piece giving her resistance to heat and she still is troubled by it while he just stands there like it's nothing, he doesn't even sweat! That [Pawn] is hiding something, we can't underestimate him.' She used her transmitter to contact her brother and inform him of the situation.

Kiba calmly watched his sword melting down, he didn't seem bothered by fire-tornado around him.

"I see, you are trying to burn us with the whirlwind of fire… But it's vain attempt. -Stop!"

The wind was sucked into Kiba's sword and the baseball ground becomes silent.

"Replenish Calm". It's been a while since I last showed more than two demonic swords for one battle."

"I think we've seen enough, don't you, Rias Gremory's [Pawn]?" Isabella took a fighting stance and gave Issei the look that said 'I'm not going to wait much longer'.

"Just Issei is fine, but you're right, we have our fight to continue. Boosted Gear!"

[Boost!]

He leaped forward with a new strategy in mind. Since keeping the distance from the [Rook] turned out to be pointless, as she effortlessly managed to stay close enough to keep him in range of her attacks and it gave her enough place to make powerful swings,

the plan was rather simple: stick as close to her as possible and keep her busy so she can't perform them.

Isabella was surprised by the sudden attack, but shocked expression on her face quickly morphed into a wide grin. True, she barely felt anything from his punches and kicks, but she couldn't let her guard down, after all, her opponent was unique; all he needed was a moment of inattention, just one opening and with a simple word he could change one of those weak attacks into a fatal blow. It was her turn to be troubled by opponent's fighting style, she wasn't used to fighting with someone whose objective wasn't exactly to win but rather to buy time. Nevertheless, she enjoyed the challenge it offered.

Issei on his part was glad that he trained with Koneko so much. He managed to adapt her fighting style to his needs in this battle quite easily, and while his version wasn't as destructive and effective it allowed him to follow his plan.

This game of cat and mouse, in which Isabella was trying to gain some distance and Issei was keeping as close as he could, went for enough time for Boosted Gear to announce third [Boost] making the [Rook] anxious. She noticed that his punches were half-hearted but couldn't tell how much he was holding back nor how much power he would really gain when he will use [Explosion]. She was running out of time and she couldn't do anything about it with him almost hugging her.

'Partner, roll left!' Ddraig shouted inside Issei mind. Now, normally, when voices in your head tell you to do something, you don't and you go to a psychiatrist, however, if the voice happens to belong to the spirit of Welsh Dragon sealed in your Sacred Gear, who seems to be on your side, you should follow instructions and so did Issei. Unfortunately, since he had never mastered or even learned Witchers' art of rolling away, he ended up face first in the dirt just outside the court. He quickly rolled to his back and raised his armored arm to shoot anyone who may attack him, but there was no one.

He turned to face Isabella, expecting her to laugh at him, and froze at the sight of another woman in front of the [Rook]. She was a tall young woman with long black hair wearing a white top with black accents, red shorts, and armored, knee-high boots with matching gauntlets. But it wasn't her presence or appearance that caused his reaction, it was her sword; it was massive, had a black blade with silver edges, but most importantly it passed right through space he was occupying mere moments ago and went straight into Isabella's stomach. If it wasn't for Ddraigs warning he would be the one pierced by it.

'T-thanks Ddraig'

'You're welcome, Partner. Taking advantage of the moment here's the cliff notes about [Second Liberation]. It's the final form of Boosted Gear, not counting Balance Braker, also known as the Gift from the Red Dragon Emperor. It allows you to transfer increased power to other objects, spells or people.' the dragon quickly explained changes in the gauntlet.

"S-Siris... why..." Isabella spoke weakly.

"It was an accident, I was trying to backstab him, how could I know he would jump to the side at the last second?"

Issei slowly stood up and looked around the field. There were three new women besides the one with the sword, but none paid any attention to him, all gathered around wounded [Rook]. It was a bad situation for Gremory's servants; they were outnumbered again and if they couldn't finish their fights before reinforcement came it will be almost impossible now.

"Here, use this." Ravel said tossing the same looking vial that Riser's [Queen] tried to use. She must have noticed Issei's gaze because she turned to him.

"That is a vial of Phoenix's Tear. Have you heard of it? Our tears can heal all types of injuries. And don't even say it's cheating. Your group also has a person who possesses the "Twilight Healing", correct?

Now, allow me to introduce the newcomers.

The woman with a sword is Onii-sama's other [Knight], Siris. Unlike Carlamaine over there, she doesn't have any of that "honor of a knight". She will defeat her opponent. Just like that. The woman wearing a kimono is Mihae, Onii-sama's other [Bishop], and the girls with cat ears are Ni and Li, Onii-sama's [Pawns]. They are female beast warriors. Their hand to hand combat is remarkable you know."

"No, I meant why did you interfere with our duel? He was, no he is my opponent!" now healed Isabella screamed at the [Knight].

"I was told to eliminate him as soon as I can, besides, who cares?! It is a war, not a duel." Siris shrugged.

Issei was moving his eyes between the two arguing women. On the one hand, he agreed with Siris, he even called Kiba an idiot for accepting the duel instead of trying to be sneaky. On the other, he would lie if he said he didn't enjoy his fight with the [Rook] and the [Knight] ruined it.

"Hey, [Pawn]-kun over there." Ravel said getting his attention again. She was pointing very high at the sky.

"Raiser-sama said he's going to fight your princess one-on-one. See there."

Issei followed her gesture and saw only the shadows above the rooftop of the new school building, but even from the distance he clearly saw crimson hair.

'Buchou? What is going on?'

[Ise-san! Can you hear me, Ise-san!?] Asia's voice came out from the transceiver.

"Asia! What happened? Is it about Buchou?"

[Yes. Right now I'm with Buchou-san and Akeno-san on the school rooftop. The opponent, Raiser-san, challenged Buchou to a duel and Buchou-san accepted it! Thanks to that we were able to get into the school building without any problem…]

"Seems like Onii-sama made a challenge since Rias-sama was doing well in the battle unexpectedly. It would have been our win if we fought normally, so he gave her pity. At this rate, she will be defeated before you fight him."

Issei lowered his head, his bangs covered his eyes, his whole body was trembling.

"I should be there with Buchou" [Boost] he started slowly walking to the center of baseball court.

"I made a promise" [Boost] his Sacred Gear announced next boost before the ten seconds mark.

"I promised her I would defeat the [King] and give her her freedom back" [Boost]

"And how am I supposed to do this if I cannot defeat a bloody [Rook]!" he shouted raising his head, his eyes once again were glowing green.

"What are you waiting for? Attack him!" Ravel ordered her brother servants terrified by a sudden increase in [Pawn's] power.

Despite Ravel being a [Bishop] was the highest authority in Riser's peerage in absence of the [King]. Hearing her command other girls immediately moved into action; Mihae conjured magic circle to prepare her attack, Ni and Li rushed forward with Siris just behind them. Isabella reluctantly followed her allies; while she wasn't happy with how the event went she wasn't going to oppose her master's sister's orders.

Issei ignored the pieces in front of him and dashed forward disappearing from their sight.

"Release your Sacred Gear, Kiba."

Everyone turned to the voice direction only to see young dragon standing near the middle of the field, his back turned to the opponents and his armored arm placed on his friend shoulder. He was watching fireball colliding with thunder creating massive explosion over the school roof.

Kiba cursed under his breath. After learning about Holy Sword wielder he was so focused on his battle that he didn't even realize more of Riser's servants came to the baseball court. He glanced at his friend confused by his calm demeanor, he was chased by four warriors and one more was preparing a magic attack but he wasn't paying them any attention focused on battle taking place elsewhere.

The [Knight] wasn't sure what the [Pawn] was expecting from him, but there wasn't time for questions. He stabbed his sword into the ground trusting that Issei had a plan.

"Sword Birth!"

"Gift" [Transfer!]

The ground around them rumbled and the sound of metal rumbling violently echoed through the area as countless blades emerged from it turning the whole court into a sea of swords pointing to the sky.

"…Impossible."

"Are you telling me this is also the power of the Dragon…?"

That were the last words of Riser's servants before they disappeared in the flash of light.

[Raiser Phoenix-sama's two [Pawns], two [Knights], one [Bishop], and one [Rook], retires.]

"You did it, Kiba. You eliminated them all." Issei said still facing the school building.

"No, we did it, Issei-kun. *cough*" Kiba fell on his knees.

Issei turned to his friend alarmed by his coughing blood and saw a deep cut on his chest. It wasn't fatal, but the [Knight] clearly needed help. Fast.

"Come on, Kiba, stay with me. We have o get you to Asia."

"There's no time for that. Go to Buchou, I would only slow you down" Kiba responded summoning small dagger in his hand.

"I'm not leaving you here!" Issei shouted trying to get his friend back on his feet.

"I know, but she needs you more. Go, save Buchou" Yuuto smiled weakly before stabbing himself with the dagger just below the ribcage.

[Rias Gremory-sama's one Knight retires]

"You idiot..." Issei sighed suddenly feeling exhausted. With adrenaline effect wearing off he again felt all the pain from the hits he received. His palms were sweaty, arms were heavy, knees weak, he could barely stand, he was fighting the urge to fall asleep right there in the arena.

"Not yet... One more fight... I can't give up now."

He tried to move, but his legs betrayed him. He fell on all four breathing heavily, his heart pounding like a jackhammer. He used all of his stamina for that last attack, and no amount of boosts could change that.

His vision became blurry, colors began to pale, blood poured from his mouth; it was the end, his body was giving up and he would pass out any moment now.

"Are you still going to continue to fight?" he turned to the voice using it as his anchor in the world of the living. It was Ravel, she was flying in the sky with her wings of fire. He stood up and tried to take a stance, but it was pitiful attempt; he couldn't even raise his arms.

"I'm not going to fight you. Because no matter how you think about it, it's your group's loss." She turned to the school building.

"The "Crimson-hair Ruin-princess", "Priestess of Lightning", "Sword Birth", and "Boosted Gear". Just hearing the names gives me chills. But your opponent is the "immortal bird". No matter what kind of power you have, it means nothing against the immortal bird.

Even with the power of the Dragon from earlier. It certainly was something tremendous. To transfer the power you boosted to the person you choose. I think it's an abnormal power and thinking of Rias-sama's power of destruction and "Priestess of Lightning" power's rising scares me. That power would be a threat to the High-class Devils in the Rating Game in the future. —But it's your group's loss for this battle."

She turned back only to see him gone. Well, gone was an exaggeration; he moved just a few steps in direction of the school building.

"H-Hold on! Are you ignoring me!? You are going to lose anyway so it's safer to stay here with me!?"

Issei didn't react visually to her words, he had one simple goal in mind. One small step at the time he forced his body to obey his command, he forced his stiff muscles to work, to move his body to his destination.

"If you want to talk..." one more step "Meet me after the battle..." and another "Right now... I don't have the time"

Ravel watched the [Pawn] walking away, amazed by his will to continue fighting.

"If you can reach them in time, you deserve to be eliminated by my Onii-sama"

[Rias Gremory-sama's [Queen] retires]

"Rias, resign. You will make your Otou-sama and Sirzechs-sama who are watching from another place look bad. You have no more choices. Everyone already has foreseen the outcome. —It's checkmate, Rias."

"Shut your mouth, Raiser. I won't give up! They knew the outcome? I have no more choices? Me, the [King], is still active you know?" Rias shouted throwing a ball of Power of Destruction at Riser.

He just stood there, laughing, his flames regenerating destroyed face.

Gremory heiress annoyance with Phenex reached a new high. When he challenged her to the duel she expected him to fight, but all he did was just taking any attack they threw at him, taunting and mocking her all the way through, occasionally throwing a fireball to intercept thunderstrike or a ball of Power of Destruction, just to show that he could.

Even when Akeno showed up with Asia ignoring her orders he just laughed and praised the [Queen's] allowing her to participate, but made no moves attack her until she mocked his all peerage being retired leaving him alone. He didn't care about that, claiming that he is more than enough to face Rias' entire peerage, but Akeno wounded his pride and paid the price.

"Buchou! Hyoudou Issei, here at your service!"

"Issei..." when she turned to her servant words stuck in her throat. He looked terrible, his face was pale, blood was pouring from his mouth and he was leaning against the door frame to support his shaking legs.

"The Dragon-brat, huh. That Ravel, she let him pass huh." Riser clicked his tongue.

"Asia, please heal him." Rias took a position to protect her servants.

"Go ahead, heal him. It won't change anything. The Boosted Gear's ability exhausts the possessor more than you can imagine. Doubling your power is something very abnormal. The burden it puts on the body is several times higher than the ordinary Sacred Gear. Rias, your [Pawn] already reached your limit a long time ago."

Issei sighed in relief, Asia's Sacred Gear was doing wonders to his body making the pain disappear. Unfortunately, it couldn't restore his stamina, but it should be enough, he could fight.

"Buchou. The battle continues right?"

"Ise, don't... you're wounded too much, retire and get a proper treatment. Leave the fight to me."

"NO! I promised you... I won't give up, I can still fight. I can continue fighting as long as I can crunch my fist! I won't leave you alone!"

"Ise I... Thank you... Ise, let's defeat Raiser together!"

"Promotion! [Queen]!" power flow through his body but it wasn't pleasant feeling this time. His whole body was burning, screaming at him that it's too much for it to handle. He didn't care, he moved forward to attack.

"Show me what you've got, Dragon-boy!" Riser spread his fings of fire and rose above the roof and throw a fireball at Issei.

'You heard him, Ddraig. Give me your strength!'

Silence.

'Ddraig?'

Fireball almost reached him.

'I'm sorry, Partner'

[Rias Gremory-sama's [Pawn of eight] retires]

*VIP room*

In the VIP room were five devils: Riser's parents, Rias' parents, and her brother Sirzechs Lucifer. They were watching events from the arena on big screens and both Lord Phenex and Lord Gremory were commenting jauntily while the rest kept quiet.

"What a shame, it took only one of my son's fireballs to defeat that boy." Lord Phenex said disappointedly.

"Shame indeed. I was hoping he would show us great fight with Riser after he defeated Yubelluna so quickly, but it seems your son's fireball was too much for him." Lord Gremory agreed.

"No." Everyone turned to Lucifer who was watching the replay with a frown. "There were two explosions and he retired before the fireball hit him."

"Lord Lucifer, are you suggesting that Riser cheated?" Lord Phenex asked trying to sound polite but anger was clear in his voice. Sirzechs moved his head to face Phenex, his usual charming smile instantaneously back on his face.

"Of course not, I know that Riser-kun wouldn't cheat to win. But that leaves the question; what happened down there."

Devils turned their attention back to the screens just in time to see Riser forcing Rias to retire by threatening to burn her [Bishop] alive.

"I'm going to Ajuka, maybe he knows more about what happened."

It was at this moment Phenex knew... His son fucked up. It wasn't because of Lucifer's ever-friendly voice or easy-going smile still present on his face, but because of his eyes. They were full of disgust and Phenex knew that this was over, but not in a way the result of the game may suggest.