AN: Next chapter up and about! Time to find out how he trained and skip directly to the Duel~!
withdranwnmadness000: Yep~! That's how I changed it! Yeah, it will skip Rias' Rating Game and go with Wake first official fight instead~! The OC will be revealed next chapter! Though he won't be joining them officially until a certain event.
Guest: Thanks! For your question, don't really know yet~! For the Bikuo thing, nope~! He's not the only one in the team~! As I've stated on a past author note, Vali was replaced by another dragon emperor~! And for your last one, I can't really do that, because from the last chapter, a bet was made about the last two Pawn pieces, so I'm sorry about that.
GhostRipperD31H: Yeah~! A bet will decide his and Rias' fate! I didn't bring her up yet for that reason as well, though I sort of changed my mind about the Rating Game and just went with a normal duel between him and Riser, one-on-one~! And he's still dense as always, though he will start to notice all of their feelings soon~!
That's all for now!
Disclaimer: I don't own High School DxD, someone else does!
Chapter 13: Dragon vs Phoenix
*Wake's P.O.V*
"Alright! That's it, Wake! Keep going!"
"… *huff* Ninety-nine *huff* One Hundred! Gah!"
If you haven't figured it out yet, Tiamat-san's (in human form, of course) helping me train for my fight against Riser. We were all currently in an estate my family owns. And while I was doing this, Hyoudo-san was training himself as well, probably to toughen up a bit more. Though we are all skipping school for a while, luckily Sona-san has us covered.
"Good job! Now, get up! It's time for your five mile jog!"
"Hai~!"
This has been happening for the past five days. Though I don't just do physical training, I've also practiced a bit more with my magic, have daily spars with Yuuto-kun and Jeanne with a sword in the morning. The most challenging out of all my training regime was with Tiamat-san, though I still think this isn't enough…
"You can do it Wake-kun~!"
"Do your best, Wake-san~!"
""G-Good luck, Wake-kun!""
"Hahaha! Keep on going!"
"… Why am I even doing this in the first place?"
The cheery Jeanne, the energetic Mittelt, the shy yet supportive Murayama-san and Katase-san, the laughing Elmen-san and the depressed Vali-san, who'd rather fight instead of standing there, were all cheering me on (though Vali-san kept on sighing). It's really good to have such awesome peerage members~!
You may be wondering why I'm the only one training. The reason for that's simple; I'm the only one fighting. Four days ago, we were informed that it would be a one-on-one match between me and Riser. And that's the reason that I'm asking everyone else to help me train a bit~! And that's also why Vali-san's depressed, it's because she's can't allowed to fight this time.
"…"
"Ara ara~! Keep running, Wake-kun~!"
"… Go, Wake-sempai."
Were the cheer of the three ORC members here with us right now! Though Rias-san wasn't talking mush and just kept on looking at me. Akeno-san was cheering, but was also looking at me with a blush, same for Koneko-chan. Actually, every girl I mentioned had blushes on their faces.
I wonder what's wrong with them? Are they sick, or something?
[Partner, it may have to do with the fact that you've been training without a shirt on, again…]
Really? But I've always trained without a shirt before… What's the difference?
[Let's just say that… It entices them.]
… What does that even mean?
[… Never mind. Just focus on your training. And remember, you have meditation after this.]
Hai~!
And just like that, I cut the link. Though if I'd listened carefully enough, I could've heard Dragold say something about "dense", but I think it doesn't concern me, right?
… Right?
(Time Skip-Day 9)
Okay, keep calm… Breath in, breath out…
[Now, Partner, try talking with it now…]
I just nod absentmindedly and decided to try and give it a shot.
Hello? Is anybody there? Aside from the dragon?
{Mas-zzz-can you-zzz-me?}
Gah! W-Who's there!?
{Master, can you hear me now?}
Judging from the voice, I'm guessing it belong to a girl. Maybe it's…
Y-Yes, I can hear you… But, who ARE you?
{Oh thank goodness! You don't know how long it took me to form a connection with you! And for your question, I'm the Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi~!}
…
…
… Eh?
I-Is t-this what Tiamat-san meant by talking to my sword!?
A-Are you its manifestation?
[Yep~! I have my own name, though~! It's Katsu~!}
Am I hallucinating now? Because I just can't believe that I'm talking to a sword…
{Nope, you're very much sane, Master. Though it is pretty weird if you talk to a sword~!}
Eh?
"W-What the!? You can read my mind!? And talk aloud!?"
{Uh-huh~! I though you already knew that~!}
"… Katsu, does this mean that I don't have any privacy at all now?" I asked, fearing the answer she'll give.
{Very much so~!}
…Damn it.
(Time Skip-Day Before Duel)
{That's right, Master. Just channel your aura into the blade, and imagine making an arc slash to cut through anything…}
Okay…
1
2
3…
"Haaah!"
A wave of Holy Aura came out of the sword and went towards its target…
*THUD!*
… And there goes half of the trees in this area!
"That… Is way too much fire power." I said as everyone behind me looked on with wide eyes and open mouths. I just sighed while scratching my head. "At least this place belongs to my family… Well anyway, you're up, Hyoudo-san." I pointed to him to show what he's learned so far.
"Hehehe! I'll show you this first, then I'll show you my ultimate technique!" He charged a football sized demonic, or dragonic, orb, and hit it with his [Boosted Gear]. "Take this! Dragon Shot!"
*KA-BOOM!*
… The guy just blew up a freaking mountain! I need to ask, were the both of us using destructive powers!?
{Yep~!}
[That's about right, Partner.]
Great, just great! And I thought I could be a technique-type…
[Well, not really…]
Eh?
{Master, you're both a technique and power-type, so no need to worry!}
Oh, well, I guess that could work?
"Nice job, Hyoudo-san." I complimented. "So what's the other one?" He did say he'd show us something he called as his ultimate technique.
He made a lewd face before answering. "First I need an assistant~! Asia, please come forward~!" Somehow, I don't think I'll like this move at all…
"H-Hai~!" The former nun went in front of him as he touched her shoulder.
"Behold! My Ultimate Technique!" he snapped his fingers as-GUAH! "Dress Break!"
"KYAA!"
A-Asia's clothes flew off! Not even her undergarments remained! Damn Hyoudo! You Perverted Bastard!
""""Don't look, Wake-kun/sempai!"""" You don't have to tell me twice! In a few seconds, I was already gone!
The last thing I heard was Koneko-chan calling Hyoudo-san, "Ero-Sempai".
(Night)
"Yare, yare, I can't believe he invented that kind of move…" I chuckled softly to myself as I remembered this morning.
[Heh, I'm guessing that Ddraig's crying right now.]
{Hehe~! Poor, poor dragon, stuck in a pervert~!}
"Haha, but…" My expression then turned dark. "If he ever tries to use that on anyone of my Peerage members, then he'll have hell to pay…"
"Hehe~! I knew that you were overprotective of us, but I didn't think it'd go that far~!"
I looked back towards the person who talked. Her familiar blonde hair swaying in the night winds.
"Oh, hey Jeanne. Sorry, I was just thinking of something." I answered as I turned to face her. "I'll get back to sleep in a few. I just needed to get some fresh air."
"That's so normal of you." She replied as she sat down on the bench. "You always do this whenever you're nervous. So tell me, what's wrong?"
"Hah, I could never hide anything from you…" I smiled as I sat down next to her. "But honestly, I'm just getting a little nervous."
"Because of your fight tomorrow?"
"Yep…" I sighed out as I looked at her. "If I lose, Rias-san will be forced to marry that douche and I'll be his servant for life. I have my life and hers at stake here, who wouldn't be nervous?"
"I know that…" She then stared directly into my eyes, a small smile playing at her lips. "But I believe that you'll win. I mean, you've beaten a chimera when we were younger."
"That was Dragold, remember?"
[Guilty as charged.]
"Shut up, damn dragon." I laughed out.
"Okay… Then what about when you saved Elmen-chan, or when you fought that stray to protect Murayama-chan and Katase-chan? And don't forget, you have the Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi with you."
"You mean Katsu?" She looked confused by the name. "Haha, oh yeah, you don't know yet! Katsu's the name of the Kusanagi's manifestation. When I managed to talk to her, she's been telling me how to control the sword, you could say."
"Oh! So she was the one I heard talking before?"
"Yep." I replied before looking at the bracelet on my right arm. "Mind introducing yourself, Katsu?"
{Hai, hai~! Nice to meet you~! My name's Katsu~! I'm the manifested spirit of the Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi~! Though you haven't seen what I look like, I promise you I'll show you soon~!}
"Nice to meet you as well, Katsu-san~! My name's Jeanne~!"
{No need to tell me that~! I know who you are after looking Master here's mind~! In fact, Master's been thinking about you for a while now~!}
"O-Oi! I told you to stop reading my mind!" I shouted out as Jeanne and I had blushes on our faces. "Besides! You're not supposed to talk about my privacy!"
"… So you do think about me?" Jeanne asked shyly as I looked at her.
"W-Well…" I need to make up an excuse for this! "O-Oh! L-Look at the t-time! Sorry Jeanne, but I need to rest up for tomorrow!" And with that, I ran away as fast as I could!
"Hey, wait-!?"
(Time Skip-Duel Time)
It's finally time…
We're all sitting in the ORC clubroom, waiting for me to be called for the match. I hope I can keep my word and beat the damn bastard…
"Excuse us…"
"Oh, Sona-san? Tsubaki-san? What're you guys doing here?" I greeted the two of them after I saw them enter.
"Can't I say good luck to a friend?" She asked back with a smile. I had to laugh a little despite the atmosphere.
"Sorry, sorry. Anyway, thanks for coming. You both gong to watch the fight?"
"Yes, we'll be watching with the others in the student council room." She smiled before looking away. "Though I don't really want you to be Rias' fiancé…"
"Hmmm? You say something, Sona-san?" I asked her.
"O-Oh, nothing at all. Anyway, good luck." And with that, they both left the place.
*SHINE!*
Oh, looks like it's time…
"Wake-sama, are you ready?" Grayfia-san asked me as I nodded in reply. "Then, once you've stepped into this magic circle, you will not be allowed to use one until the end of the match. Also, please know that Maou Sirzechs Lucifer-sama, Lord Gremory and Lord Phenex with their families shall be watching this match."
"Onii-sama is…? I see…" Even I'm shocked that Sirzechs-san's here. Not so much for the others, though.
"Eh? Did Buchou just call Maou-sama, "Onii-sama"?" Hyoudo-san looks clueless, again.
"Haha, that's because Sirzechs-san is Rias-san's older brother." He made a shocked face along with the newer members of both peerages. "She'll explain later." I pointed at Rias-san who looked a bit mad that I'm making her explain everything. Hyoudo-san nodded in thanks.
"One last thing. This match shall also be broadcasted all over the underworld." Grayfia-san added.
I nodded once then looked at everyone here who wanted to support me. I gave out a smile that they returned. "Well the, see you guys when this is over~!" I shouted out before entering the circle.
(Dimension Space)
*SHINE!*
"So this is the battlefield…" I said out loud as I took in the scenery. The place looks just like a gladiator's stadium except with oversized chest pieces…
… How much do we love chess?
"Hello, I am Grayfia, I shall be your commentator for this battle. I shall see over this battle for my master, Sirzechs Lucifer-sama." So she's the judge of this battle?
"Ah, it seems you had the guts to actually show up!" I looked towards my opponent who was standing at the other end. "Riser will have to show you who the stronger one is!"
"I gotta ask; why do you keep speaking in third person and/or switching to first person? It's really confusing me." I said with a twitching eyebrow. I really can't take any more damage to my Pride!
"You dare insult me!? That's it!" With an angry growl, wings made out of fire appeared behind him. Hah, guess I have to go all out to…
"[Balance Break]!" I shouted out as I was covered by a golden light.
[Inshō-tekina Dragon, Balance Breaker!]
Now fully covered by my armor, I'm ready to fight!
"W-What!? You have a Sacred Gear!?"
"Ah, this one's called [Striking Gear] and this is its [Balance Break], [Judgement's Armor]." I smirked, not like anyone could see it, though. "Ah, but judging from your expression, you know about this gear, right?"
"Y-You're, the current Golden Dragon Emperor's Host!?" Oh, right on the spot. Though I guess no one in the three faction could forget the name of their savior a long time ago…
"So… We gonna start, or not!?" I shouted out as I charged him!
*BANG!*
"Guah!"
"Down goes the Phoenix~!" It's pretty fun to be able to fight again!
"Don't mock me!" Oho, it looks like this guy hasn't been knocked out yet.
"Haaaahhh!"
*GRAB!*
"Nice try! But at least see if my guard's lowered…"
*BANG!*
"Rgh…!"
"You know, I… Don't really think It'd be fair if I use [Balance Breaker] for the duration of this match…" I canceled out my armor. I want to have a fair fight, I guess it's my Pride talking…
"Hah! You made a mistake! Removing the only advantage you have on me!" Only throwing a flame at me? Seriously… "Now burn in hell!"
*BOOOOOOM!*
(With the Viewers)
[WAKE/-KUN/-SAN/-SEMPAI!]
"Hmmm? What's wrong Rias?" The Crimson Satan, Sirzechs Lucifer, asked his younger sister, who was looking at the cloud of smoke where Wake once stood.
"Onii-sama! Wake-kun just got burnt! We need to see if he's still alright!" Rias complained with the other girls that have feelings for Wake agreeing with her.
"Heh, if you think that he's down and out, then you're all wrong." The only person who was calm about this was the guy in question's Queen, Vali. "He's stronger than that. That isn't even enough to hurt him."
"You say that, Vali-chan, but your eyes say that you're worried about it to~!" Even with the heavy atmosphere, Jeanne tried to tease her to lighten the mood.
"… Whatever." Vali turned away with a blush on her face as the others giggled at this.
"Oh? It looks like Wake-kun's still going." Once those words left Sirzechs' mouth, everyone looked back at the screen and what they saw made them drop their jaw.
(Back to the Stadium)
*BBBBRRRRRRRRRRRR~!*
"!?"
"Did you really think that I'd fall that easily?" I said as the flames that surrounded me turned to ice. "If that's what you think, then you're clearly mistaken…"
"H-How did you freeze my flames!?"
"Hmmm? Is that the only thing you're wondering about? Not about the sword I'm holding?" I asked innocently while waving the Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi around while Katsu releases the Holy aura.
"A-A Holy Sword!? H-How are you even able to hold that!?" Hasn't he noticed it yet?
"If you haven't known yet… I'm a High-Class Devil, yes. But I'm also half-human. How do you think I have a Sacred Gear?" Judging from his look, he just figured it out. Heh. "And the fact that I could even hold a Holy sword, it's because I was chosen by the sword, you could say… Right, Katsu?"
{Hai, Wake-sama~!}
I took my stance and charged. "Now then, let's see if the immortal Phoenix can beat a dragon! [Judgment Path: Berserker]!" The violet aura covers me as I became even faster than before!
"W-Wait! Don't you know that this marriage is for the survival of the Pure-Blooded Devils!?" He tried to reason his way out of here. "This isn't something a half-blood like you should interfere with!"
"Like I care!" I shouted out as I began slashing at him!
*SWISH!*
"Anything that'll make my friends sad is reason enough for me to fight against anything!"
*SWISH!*
"But you made the biggest mistake!"
*SWISH!*
"For one, you underestimated me and that is the reason of your downfall!"
*SWISH!*
"Two, you made my friend sad!"
*SWISH!*
"And three! You insulted my Pride! As a Lucifer, I won't let anyone get away with that!"
*SWISH!*
"GUAAAHHHHHHH!" That's a lot of blood… But I need to end this now…
"Onii-sama!" A girl with blonde hair styled in twin ponytails that looks like drill curls stood between me and the unconscious Riser. Wait, I saw her the first time I saw his Peerage! So he even has his own real little sister in his Peerage, huh? "We give up! Please let Onii-sama go!"
I smiled as I pointed my sword at her which seemed to make her flinch.
"If you want to fight me for revenge, just come at me anytime, alright?" I told her as I teleported out of here. But if I had stayed a bit longer, I would have seen her blushing face.
"Riser-sama has retired. The winner is Wake-sama."
"… Nice." And with that, I fainted because of overuse of my energy…
(With Viewers)
"He… Won!"
"Nice work Archus!"
"Hey, didn't anyone notice him saying that he's a Lucifer?" Yuuo was the one that brought them all back.
"Oh yeah, Wake-kun did say that…"
While that was going on, they say Wake's peerage along with Sirzechs try to leave undetected.
"Onii-sama, you wouldn't know about this, right?" Rias asked her brother with twitching eyebrows as the current Lucifer began sweating bullets.
"E-Eh… I can explain!" He tried to get away but it was already too late.
All the while, the commentator sighed. "Wake-sama, why did just shout that out…"
(Time Skip-Two Days Later)
Ugh, what the hell happened to me…?
"Mnnn…."
"Oh! Hey everyone! Wake-kun's awake!" I heard the familiar voice my Knight shout out as I sat up.
"Ugh… Jeanne…? What happened?" I said as I got my vision back and looked directly at everyone who was gathered around the bed in the… Is this my house?
"Man dude! You've been knocked out for two days now!" It was Hyoudo-san who talked first.
"Really? Did I win?" I asked the question with a grin.
"Hell yeah you did! You beat the crap out of the bastard!"
"Awesome~!" I shouted out cheerfully!
"Ahem!" Rias just had to ruin it… "Now that you know this, I would like to extend my gratitude to you." She smiled at me with a blush that matched her Crimson hair, but then her expression turned serious. "But, when were you going to tell us that you're a Lucifer?" I was about to deny it, but. "Onii-sama already explained it to me, and you also shouted it out during the match…"
Palm, meet face…
"Seriously…" I'm berating myself so much right now. " Well, I didn't plan to tell any of you yet until I got permission." I then rubbed my head shamefully. "But I guess I let my Pride get the best of me… Again…"
"… Okay then." I looked to Sona-san who decided to speak up. "We'll talk about this another time. For now, you need to pick up your new Pawns, they're waiting for you downstairs."
New… Pawns? When did I… Oh, the bet with Riser…
"They were… Fine with it?" I hesitantly asked as I looked at her. "I… Don't want them to just do this because of a bet…"
"They were fine with it." She started as I urged her to go on. "And the trade has already been done…"
Wait, what?
"Wait, so… They just accepted it, just like that!?"
"Yes. Though it might take some time for them to warm up to you…" She explained further as I jumped out of bed.
"I'll go… But can all of you stay here for a while, I need to talk to them alone." They all nodded as I headed down to greet the two of them.
(Living Room)
I saw the both of them sitting there on the couch, both looking down. Sigh, I really did it this time, didn't I?
"… Hey?" I hesitantly said as they both looked up to look at me. They stood up at the same time and bowed in front of me.
""Good morning, Master…"" They said in unison.
"*Sigh* No need to be formal, you know?" I tried to go for a smile. "I may be your new King now, but just treat me the same way you treated me during that film we made, alright?"
"Hai, Wake-sama…"
"Alright, Wake-sama…"
I sighed again and told them to sit down. Once they did that, I sat down in front of them.
"Look, I'm sorry that I took you away from your old home." I started as they focused their attention to me. "And I understand that you want to return, but I can't do anything right now. So please forgive me." I bowed my head as I hear their shocked gasps.
"I should've thought it over first. I understand that you're both unhappy with this and that you might want to leave to go back." I released a breath I didn't know I was holding and faced them again. "But at least give me a chance. Let me at least take care of the both of you for two months, then if you still want to go back to him, then I'll trade with him again."
If I hadn't been so serious, I would have noticed the blushes on their faces.
"So… Will the two of you give me that chance?" I held my hand out, waiting for them to take it. But instead of a handshake, they tackled me to the ground! Uwah!
"At least you're honest, nyaa~!"
"I agree with Onee-chan, nyaa~!"
I looked to the two of them and saw them wearing the smiles I saw on them a few days ago, and I couldn't help but smile back.
"So is that a yes?"
""Yep, nyaaa~!""
(Time Skip-Three Days Later)
I was back in school today after all the crazy shit I've been through the entire week prior. Especially now since I'm engaged to Rias-san, have two new Pawns that started attending here two days ago, and let me tell you, everyone didn't take the, 'them staying at my place' part of their introduction.
And apparently, we have a new student today. And from what I heard, this time it was a male.
"Alright class! I know you already know of our new student! So please come in." Tiamat-sensei gained our attention as we all looked in front expectantly.
"Hai, Sensei!" The person in question entered the room and I took in his appearance. He wears the Kuoh Academy uniform with chains wrapping around his wrists, ankles and wrapped around his chest in the shape of an X, black fingerless gloves, a chain necklace with a silver wolf head with ruby eyes. A pair of mechanics goggles on top of his head and a pair of headphones with a black headband and dark red speakers around his neck. He's ripped but it doesn't look like that'll slow him down. He has brightly glowing neon green eyes, thigh length snow white hair with the bangs being dark red. His hair is tied up in 3 ponytails stacked on top of each other with the middle one being dark red. And his height seemed to be… 6ft and 5 inches, I think.
The guy looked towards the class, but his gaze stopped at me for a while. "Hey! My name's Reynold Kuroshiki. I'm half American and half Japanese, nice to meet all of you!" And he gave a grin that made the girls here squeal.
But, I think I sensed this aura before, and it seems like he's not really human at all…
Wait…
I remember now! This is the same aura that I sensed during the meeting we had with Riser in the ORC! The guy that was spying on us!
… Heh, just what are you planning, Kuroshiki-san?
Transmission:
Wake: So he finally decided to show up…
Issei: Oi! Another pretty boy joins our class!? Damn it!
Wake: Haha! I guess you could put it that way~! But this guy's not human… At least, not fully human.
Issei: You mean he's-!?
Wake: Ah, he must be a part of the supernatural like us.
Issei: Oh man! Won't we catch a break with this!? Next time; The Wolf of the Academy!
Wake: Time to find out who this guy really is! Come on, Hyoudo-san!
Issei: Oi! Don't drag me with you!
Harem Lists:
Wake: Jeanne, Akeno, Kuroka, Rias, Sona, Tsubaki, Koneko, Le fay, Ravel, Seekvaira, Yasaka, Kunou, Serafall, Elmenhilde, Vali (Fem), Ophis, Murayama and Katase, Ni and Li, Tiamat, Mittelt, Enju Aihara, Rossweisse
Issei: Asia, Irina, Xuelan, Isabela, Tsubasa, Kiyome, Raynare, Kalawarner
Wake's Peerage:
Queen: Vali (Fem)
Rooks: Elmenhilde, Reynold Kuroshiki (OC)
Knights: Jeanne, Arthur
Bishops: Kuroka, Le fay
Pawns: Kunou (2 mutation pieces), Murayama (1 Pawn), Katase (1 Pawn), Enju Aihara (1 Pawn), Mittelt (1 Pawn), Ni (1 Pawn), Li (1 Pawn)