Life 3. Senpai vs. Kohai!

Part 1

"The day has come everyone! The most awaited [Rating Game] of the youth, Ram Phenex vs. Silverage Lucifuge, is about to start!"

We hear that on the news while being on a gondola lift carrying us to the place where that match is set to take place: the sky city and capital of the [Rating Games], Agreas.

Since Lucifer-sama wanted to have this game on an important place (after all, we're his protégés and the finalist of his beloved Tournament of the Youth), he contacted the Agares Clan and they accepted in no time since the current heir of that clan is also Lucifer-sama's protégé. Now I wonder who that heir is…

I heard Lucifer-sama and whoever his guess commentators are going to be this time are coming by jumping, and while we're going by gondola, Silverage took an airship. The place should be filled with paparazzi, but Lucifer-sama assured us that they wouldn't be able to see us until we get to the stadium.

By the way, Ham has been alright since he stopped using his eye patch. However, he is now dressing with a white t-shirt with the flag of Great Britain on it, sport pants and sneakers. Since he has always dressed like a noble would do until now, looking at him now is quite weird.

Once we got to the top, we can see a familiar face we haven't seen in a long time.

"Xie Xie!"

Ram says that as she gets close to Xie-

"Please call me only Xie from now on, Ram-sama."

I don't understand her request, but if that's what she wants, then I'll call her Xie.

"How was your training?"

She bows her head towards after I said that.

"I respect you a lot more now, Rito-san. The training rooms at Grigori are… iron ball…"

Xie mutters that last bit with fear. Yeah, it is easy to get a trauma with the iron ball training. Wait, what is up with adding "-san" while talking to me?

"Why did you add that honorific?"

"Baraqiel-sama taught me to be respectful towards people and refer to them with honorifics. So now you're Ram-sama, Rina-san, Ham-san, Mint-san, Rito-san, Haruka-san and María-san. To the new members I haven't met, please take care of me."

Ellice and Jin nod after hearing that. So that Baraqiel was the one to teach her manners… since, aside from the Cadres of Grigori and the famous Devils, the only one whom I call with an honorific is Tenshi-kun, he failed with me.

"I'm Jin Lance, worth 4 Pawns. So you're the other Rook I have heard about, huh."

"My name is Ellice Valeribe and I'm a Magician who made a pact with Ram."

"A pleasure to meet you, Ellice-san and Jin-kun."

Xie became really refined and formal. Why she has that kind of teachings and I have Azazel-sama's crazy whims?

Speaking about the man himself, Azazel-sama is also here, and Haruka is with him.

"So Haruka got a new weapon from you, Azazel-sama?"

"Yeah, and I'm pretty sure you're going to be surprised to see what it is…"

By just saying that, Azazel-sama starts walking backwards towards the dome. And that's the Governor General of Grigori, everybody…

"All of you, you should remember, this match is going to be the most important match in our lives: don't hold back."

Ram, our King, says that to us. With her words of inspiration, we head towards the dome.

Part 2

"As the creation forbidden by the Devil King, [Evil Pieces], became an essential part of the Underworld, the [Rating Games] did so too. For said reason, I, the [Great Satan] Lucifer, organized a tournament between the youths whose overwhelming potential has turned this one into a golden generation. And now, only 2 Devils remain. Today, on the city I created, the heart of the [Rating Game] Agreas, the one who is going to be become the Strongest Young Devil is about to be decided!"

Lucifer-sama and his speeches are truly better than anything I have heard Azazel-sama say.

"From the east gate, Ram Phenex's peerage!"

We enter with confidence to the stage as we hear Lucifer-sama calling our name. The dome is full of people. The coliseum we had our other games was also full, but this place can hold around 10 times more people.

"And from the west gate, Silverage Lucifuge's peerage!"

Silverage enters the stage with a confident smile. Goldentime, Nero, Tsubasa, Yami and Akai are with him. Not only that, but a huge breasted cat-girl we haven't seen before is also with them.

"… So Silverage also got a new member."

Ram says that. We assumed we had surprise factor thanks to adding Jin, but it seems they also have a new member.

"Both peerages please go to centre to of the stadium."

Once both peerages get to the centre, a black haired man appears on screen.

{Good morning everyone. I'm Price Lucifer's Rook, Magnus Belial, and I will be the arbiter of this match.}

With such a recognizable voice, Price's Rook makes his presence.

"To think that our other matches were with Caitlin Leviathan and Orbeus Belphegor… this is the third member of Price's peerage in a row."

Silverage says that. So while we had our games with Price's Queen and Bishop, he had them with his Pawn and Rook.

{Today we have very special guests, who will be able to comment over the course of the game. First of all, my King, Price Lucifer, and other members of his peerage are here.}

The screen then shows Price Lucifer together with his Queen, Bishop, Knight and Pawn. Now that I think about, the other Rook isn't here. I wonder why…

{I have come here to see the power of my future opponent. After all, as someone from the Lucifer lineage, I have the deed to show the power of … cough, the Strongest Devil's blood.}

Price seemed to have a hard time saying that last part. Only he is fooling himself.

{From the Fallen Angel side, Governor General Azazel, Vice-Governor Shemhazai, and the Cadres Baraqiel and Armaros came here to see this match.}

So not only Azazel-sama, but Shemhazai-sama and Armaros-sama came. I already knew Baraqiel would come anyway.

{So, Governor General, what brings you and your fellows Cadres to Agreas today?}

{As everyone here should know, members from both Ram and Silverage's peerages come from Grigori, so we're here to look after them.}

Azazel-sama answered with a mature tone. So he's able to speak formally if needed, huh.

{From the Shinto Faction, the son of the Kyubi, Kurama, and the Yellow Dragon of the Nakiri clan, Oryu Nakiri, are also here.}

Yeah, Oryu mentioned he wanted to watch this match too, so I asked Baraqiel to take him here.

{As someone who trained with Silverage's peerage, I want to see the results of said training.}

Kurama says that without being asked.

{I just came here to see Yuma-senpai win!}

Oryu, you truly are a splendid kohai.

{From the Mayan side, we got a few gods who came here: Kukulkahn and the Maya Hero Twins.}

Kukulkahn?! So a chief-god is here!? And the Maya Hero Twins, Hunahpu and Xbalanque are also here.

{So, Mayan gods, what brings you to the Underworld?}

{Kukulkahn-san decided to take care of us! After all, me and Hunahpu made a little gambit: who'll win between Ram and Silverage? I put my money on Ram, so I hope she doesn't lose! You gambled for Silverage, right, Hunahpu?}

{Yes, Xbalanque.}

Xbalanque… is supporting us. I'm starting to like this airheaded god.

{And finally, Indra and Shiva from the Hindu Faction.}

" "What?!" "

Not just me, but the rest of Ram's peerage and even Silverage's peerage yelled in confusion! What are such important Hindu gods like Indra and Shiva, two of the strongest in existence, doing here?!

{Can these Hindu gods who are between the strongest existences tell us why you're here? I'm especially curious since I heard the Hindu Faction doesn't like the Christian Faction.}

The first one to answer is the God of War, Indra.

{I only came here to see your future war force, Christian Faction. After all, one day these kids will fight against us, the Hindu Faction, in a war, and when said time comes, we'll crush you to pieces.}

Such scary words… on his part, the one to answer is next is Shiva, the God of Destruction.

{I was bored and had nothing else to do, so I just followed Śakra here.}

… The God of Destruction who is said to be the second strongest existence said just that. I know he looks like a kid, but such a childish comment coming out of him feels so out of place…

{… You still have a weak mind, Shiva…}

Even Indra complains about his comment! Azazel-sama and Hunahpu, who are two of the highest ranked people I know, act like kids; don't tell me he, the God of Destruction Shiva, is also like them!

{Now that the introduction of the VIP guests is over, we can move into the main event. Both peerages please go to your bases.}

"See you on the field."

Silverage tells that to Ram before going to his base. We also go to our base, but we're conscious of how hard this game is going to be.

Silverage is known as "The Strongest Young Devil", so fighting against him is a matter of extreme difficulty. To make this even worse, his peerage is made of other insanely strong people. So far, we have only seemed them as our allies, but now, they're our opponents.

We cannot let our guard down.

{As always, the type of game has been picked randomly, so it will be a [Dice Figure].}

As Price's Rook, Magnus Belial, says that, a dice appears on screen. [Dice Figure], huh. I have only read about it, but I know it is match-style game where the numbers that appear on the dices given to the Kings decide which servants can go into battle. Once you have been picked once, you cannot go right on the next battle.

{The field will be no other than an exact replica of this stadium, as asked by Lucifer-sama. The value given for the Kings is the following: Heir of the Phenex clan Ram, your value is 7; "Strongest Youth" Silverage Lucifuge, your value is 12.}

So Silverage is worth the highest number of 12… that's terrifying. Well, this isn't only about strength, but also the quality of their servants compared to the opponent. Ram's value is a little above half of Silverage's, so it clearly shows we're considered to be inferior compared to them.

{As asked by Price, no bottle of Phoenix's tears will be provided to the teams.}

Huh? Why did Price decide to not let us have Phoenix's tears?

{I just wanted to see a game where you'll go all out, using only the power within yourselves. It wouldn't be like that if you can heal with an external force like Phoenix's tears, so I forbid their use for this game.}

Price answers the question I had. So we have to fight using only the power within us, huh. Well, in that case, I'll do it.

{Now that everything has been settled down, let's the final [Rating Game] in the Tournament of the Youth begin.}

Everyone on the stadium cheers. Finally, our most important battle, the [Rating Game] with Silverage, starts!

Part 3

{Both Kings step in front of the stand and hold your dices.}

Ram and Silverage stand in front of the stand and hold their dices. Since I'm only worth 1 Pawn, I can go in pretty much every battle, so I need to pay attention to the result.

{Roll.}

They roll the dices and the value appearing on the screen is-

{Ram Phenex rolled 5, while Silverage Lucifuge rolled 2, so it is a total value of 7.}

Suddenly, Akai stands up and looks at me.

"Silverage, please allow me to fight Rito."

Wait what?! Did Akai just ask to fight me on the opening battle?!

"I knew you wanted to fight him from the very beginning, and since the value allows you to fight, I give you my blessing. What do you think honey?"

"… Rito, do you agree to go alone and fight Akai?"

Fighting Akai.

I fought a few times him while we trained on [Nephilim] a long time ago, but now, both of us should be on a totally different level, at least I know I am.

Being able to fight Akai with my new power, and also see his new power, this is a unique chance.

"… I promised you that I'll be your opponent on this [Rating Game], so I accept."

The crowd cheers when I declare that.

{As expected of Yuma-senpai! I'll support you until the end!}

Oryu tells me his words of support after I declared that. Yeah, I'll fight here and now!

{Price, Lucifer-sama, do you approve this?}

{I just want to see you fighting, so of course.}

{While this may go against the rules, I have heard these two has been rivals for many years, so it sounds like a must watch battle; I'll approve.}

Price's short answer and Lucifer-sama's answer say it all: I'm going against Akai.

{Go to the magic circle to be transported to the battlefield.}

As Akai and I do that while looking to each other's eyes, the magic circle teleports us to the promised field.

Part 4

{From Ram Phenex's side, Pawn Rito Yuma; from Silverage Lucifuge's side, Pawn Akai Asagiri.}

"I wished to fight against you on the first match so both of us could fight with everything we have."

"Yes, I understood your intentions from the beginning."

My opponent is an elite member of Grigori, my senpai and old friend: Akai. I have to give my all here.

{The first match starts now.}

As soon as he says that, both Akai and I declare our ability as Pawns.

" "Promotion, Queen!" "

As we promote, Akai makes the first move.

He moves at high speed towards me, wielding a sword on his hands. Just as he slashes the sword, I stop it with a barrier.

"You were able to see through that, good job. However-"

My own shadows entangle me! It's Akai's [Sacred Gear], [Night Reflection]!

"Nothing can escape my eyes, not even the slightest opening."

Akai's eyes show their amber glow. So now he has turned into Akai-senpai, huh.

{Shemhazai, what is up with this kid's eyes?}

{That's his special technique, something he calls [Senpai Mode]. Once active, he gains a perfect understanding of the space around him by increasing his vision field and even being able to see everything on slow motion.}

That's right, Akai's special technique, [Senpai Mode]. There's a reason I call him only Akai-senpai when he's like that.

"Both you and I know that trying to attack those shadows only will make things worse. How are you going to top this?"

"You should know it already: Holy Lightning!"

As I say that, a lightning comes from the sky towards Akai-senpai. He absorbs the lightning with his shadows, but it allows me to escape.

"[Number V: The Hierophant], [Number IV: The Emperor], [Number XIX: The Sun]!"

I active those cards from my [Sacred Gear]. Akai-senpai looks at me while creating a mass of shadows in front of him.

"I saw you'll do that, so take this!"

The Holy Lightning from before is shot from the mass of shadows, so I create a shield to protect me.

"Holy Lightning – Shield."

I absorb the Holy Lightning on my shield and throw it towards Akai-senpai!

"Bad move."

He says that before absorbing the shield with his shadows. However-

"I wasn't over!"

The ground around Akai-senpai rises and attacks him from every direction, hitting multiple times! Sure enough, he was also able to destroy many of those rocks with his sword.

Then, I launch many energy balls made of demonic energy and Fairy magic towards Akai-senpai! On his apart, he launches the shield from earlier and blocks my energy balls, but the shield gets destroyed in the process.

"Nice done, I barely saw that one. As always, you're able to think fast."

"You also deserve praise, since you were able to stop most of my attacks, as expected from my senpai."

We praise each other's abilities. Both of us have fought before, so we have great respect towards the new powers developed by the other.

"Well then, let's declare the warm up over. Now, show me your [Balance Breaker]."

Akai-senpai asks me that. There's no way I'll refuse his proposal.

"[Balance Break]!"

The golden aura and the card appear before me. I take it and declare its name.

"[Numberless Card: The Fool]!"

With that, my appearance changes as my disk gets "upgraded".

[Number IX] [Number I] [Number XV]

The power of my [Balance Breaker] allows me to active more than 3 cards at the same time. Sure, I can only active 6 cards at the same time, every other card I active while on this mode will disable my [Sacred Gear] for 3 hours each.

{So that's the [Balance Breaker] of [Destiny Deck]! I'm finally able to see it! Why did you hide it from me? You bastards!}

Armaros-sama says that with his typical tone. I feel bad for Yami, who has to train with this crazy guy.

"It's just like rumours say, that's an amazing [Balance Breaker]. However, I also have one trick under my sleeve."

Akai-senpai raises his aura, shadows starts to cover his sword. Don't tell me this is-

"… [Balance Break]."

A huge light flashes before me! Akai-senpai reached it! He achieved [Balance Breaker]!

Once the light fades away, what appears on his hand is shadow on the shape of a sword. Not only that, it has a purple glow around it.

"[Night Reflection]'s Sub-Specie [Balance Breaker], [Grigori Sword]. The three abilities I bear combined into a single power."

I get shocked from seeing his [Balance Breaker]… wait, did he just say three? Since he obviously isn't counting [Senpai Mode], he is talking about his swordsmanship and his [Sacred Gear]. But what's the third one?

{I told Akai that if he wanted to achieve [Balance Breaker], he needed to decide on the matter of his father. He has decided on accepting his father's blood inside him and adding that third power onto his [Grigori Sword].}

Kurama explains that. However, his father? I know nothing about him other than he left Akai-senpai when he was too small to remember him, which is why he always insisted me to make the paces with Baraqiel.

"I think you don't know this, since she only told me about it, so I'll ask it: do you know why we were assigned to Penemue-sama and not any other Cadre?"

I… actually don't know. I never questioned it, but it always felt weird that we were only 3 while most other teams had over 6 members.

"Penemue's Team is a group made of humans who are relative to a Cadre of Grigori."

Relative to a Cadre? What does he mean?

"It doesn't have to be by blood, like you, who were selected because of being Baraqiel-sama's stepson, or Yami, who is Penemue-sama's adoptive daughter."

Wait, if we're going by that logic, Akai-senpai must be relative to a Cadre of Grigori too.

"However, I was related by blood to a Cadre of Grigori."

Suddenly, 6 wings appear from his back. I never saw his wings before, but what is shocking is that only 1 of those wings is a Devil wing…!

"Normally, my wings are a Devil wing and a Fallen Angel wing, but I gain other 4 Fallen Angel wings while I cover this sword with light thanks to my [Balance Breaker]."

Light-based weapons, an ability of the Angels and Fallen Angels, must be the third power!

"But, I don't understand; who is your father?"

"My father… is Kokabiel."

Kokabiel?! As in the greatest traitor in the history of Grigori, that Kokabiel?!

{This just got interesting.}

Indra the Śakra says that. Short after, Akai-senpai looks at me with apologetic eyes.

"I never told you because Azazel-sama told me I needed to hide it, after all, if this information is known by the Angels, they would pursue me."

I understand what he means.

16 years ago, Kokabiel stole a precious weapon from the Angels, the Holy Sword Excalibur, in order to declare a war against the Three Great Powers. Thankfully, two Seraphs, Sandalphon and Metatron, defeated and sealed him inside the Cocytus before he could declare it.

If the Angels knew Kokabiel had a son, they'll surely try to kill him. Since Devils weren't involved in the incident, we'll have no reason to pursue Akai-senpai.

"Well then, will you, Ram's Pawn, fight the son of the Greatest Traitor?"

"I will, but not as Ram Phenex's Pawn: I'll do it as a member of Grigori serving Azazel-sama."

"I knew you'll answer like that."

Akai-senpai moves towards me at an extremely high speed! I know I have only two more left, but I need to defeat him!

"Holy Lightning – Spear!"

My spear clashes with his sword, but it just absorbs my attack! So despite being fused with the sword, it retains its former power!

I only have one more Holy Lightning left, and I'll retire if I use it, so I have to handle this wisely.

"Take this!"

Akai-senpai slashes his blade in the air, and many waves of light come out of it! It must be his Fallen Angel light!

A magical barrier appears in front of me, blocking his attack, but soon he appears behind my back and kicks me!

"Never take your eyes away from your opponent."

I entangle his body in shadows while remaining on the floor. I use my rock mysticism to attack him from all directions!

However, my shadow tentacles are destroyed by electricity spurting out him!

"Using my powers against myself, huh. You should know that I perfectly understand how to deal with my own power, so doing so is futile."

I stand up and create and explosion with Fairy magic! Since I never use it this way, while it is the normal way to use this magic, it can take him by surprise.

I can see many burn marks on Akai-senpai. Yeah, it hit!

"You're a Technique type who specializes in flash moves and using your opponent's attacks against them, so a direct hit against you is critical! This has always been your weak point: your low endurance!"

Akai-senpai laughs friendly after I say that. Despite the fact I just pointed his weakness, he is having fun with this battle. And I cannot this: so I am.

I launch many balls of demonic energy, which are caught one by one on his sword. He may think he has the advantage, but as I launch a ball of Fairy magic, I made it explode as soon as it gets into the sword, making all the other balls explode!

"Ku… Rito, that was a good move. Remembering that flaw on my [Sacred Gear], there's a reason I wanted to fight you."

I smile after hearing his words, and he smiles back. It'll be hard to guess we're on a serious match if one looks at us like this.

{I can feel neither of them is having any ill backbone on this match, this purely for fun to them. They who are Devils and also from the Grigori Institution, these 2 are an example of a friendly and peaceful rivalry.}

Shiva, the God of Destruction, says that about us. I think he's right, that's the best way to describe my relationship with Akai-senpai. For that, I have to do this.

"Do it, Rito; you don't need to tell me your intention, I perfectly understand it, and I think it is the only fair way to finish this match."

Akai-senpai lowers his sword and deactivates his eyes. I charge my last Holy Lightning in my hand, walk slowly to where he is, and put my hand on his chest.

"Thank you for this match, Akai, you're the best senpai."

"And you're the best kohai, Rito."

As we say that, I declare the end of the match with my final words.

"Holy Lightning – Cutter."

My attack deals him direct and critical damage, while I… run out of energy…

{Combatants Silverage Lucifuge's Pawn and Ram Phenex's Pawn, retire.}

Grigori

"That was a good match, right Azazel?"

"Sure enough, Shemhazai. Those kids, Akai and Rito, they're way more than we ever imagined."

"Do you they'll be able to surpass Denpachi and Nicolas?"

"It'll take some time, but luckily enough, they're Devils, so I think there is a good chance Akai will become the new Nicolas and Rito the new Denpachi."

"… But, why is your student the one becoming the strongest? Akai clearly showed he is superior to Rito."

"That's right, at this moment, Akai is stronger than Rito."

"So?"

"Rito's potential, the potential lying inside [Destiny Deck], I'm pretty sure that, if he is able to pull out that hidden power, he'll be able to surpass even Denpachi."

"You sure have high hopes on that kid, Azazel."

"You know that's how I am, Shemhazai."