I don't own Chivalry Of A Failed Knight or High School DxD, just my OC.

Chapter 1

The Kurozakuro family was a Royal Blazer family in Icesitania, a town in a small country not too far off from the coast of japan. They were known for their strength, intellect, and power as well as producing the strongest ice & wind manipulation blazers throughout history. It has been said that anyone who has ever met a member of the Kurozakuro in combat has fallen. Any challenge that a Hosomaki has stood before has been overcome.

They were a family who are Relatives with The Kurogane Family who are the Sparda Clan while others strived to be their downfall in hopes of dishonoring their great name. Those people had it in their minds that the admiration and power they held were the most important things to members of the Hosomaki. However, they were mostly right in that assumption. Almost every member believed that power and admiration were the only things that mattered and that everything else came second in their pursuit of these things.

However, when it came to them being blazers, the Kurozakuro prided themselves on having a large amount of power. However, that wasn't the only thing. They also prided themselves on having complete control over that power. Every member had excellent control of their power. However, that was true for all but one. The son of the current head of the Hosomaki family, Ayato Kurozakuro Sparda.

Ayato had an S-rank in magic capacity but his control was ranked as a D. However, that wasn't his fault. The truth is Ayato would most likely have a challenge controlling his power. It's not that he wasn't skilled, it was because he was a generation. A generation is a blazer who has been born with two elemental manipulations fused together to generate a single element. For Ayato, he had a fused element of Ice & Wind manipulation or Cryo-Wind manipulation as he called it. He also had a fused element of Ice and Lightning manipulation or Cryo-Lightning manipulation as he called it.

He can generate & control harder,colder,sharper & more powerful frozen wind, it was a manipulation with the ability to create, shape, and manipulate windy-charged violet /pale-blue-colored frozen energy that can take on the properties of either while retaining the coldness of ice and having the freedom of imagination that the two elemental manipulations hold.

The second can do the same thing, it was a manipulation with the ability to create, shape, and manipulate electrically charged violet/pale-blue-colored frozen energy that can take on the properties of either while retaining the coldness of ice and having the freedom of imagination that the two elemental manipulations hold,but that was the problem for both of them.

They were seen as ticking time bombs and monsters because at some point their own power would go out of control. And once it did it would attack their own bodies overwhelming them and killing them while causing as much untold destruction as possible while the generation died. Obviously gaining control over this power would prevent this fate but that was a difficult feat in itself since no generation has ever done it before.

And yet Ayato's Parents & Sister were different; they knew he could do it. His Father, while having been born and raised in the Kurozakura family, was never really like the other members. He was the one oddity in the family. He had his pride but he was never too prideful. He was kind to even those who were weaker than him. His Mother & Sister had never been members of the family and they are very kind women. All of them believed that Ayato would be able to tame his wild power.

Ayato started training at the age of 4 years old during his Training Ayato unlocked the Boosted Gear & he had come to enjoy it just as much as he enjoyed spending time with his Sister Shizuku. Their family had a vacation home in Icesitania that she would stay at from time to time so the two never got to see Ayato that much. The thing is however even if his parents believed that he could control his power that was all. The rest of the Hosomaki thought he never would and thought he was nothing, but a failure who never had a chance.

Elders Meeting

Currently, Kagami Kurozakuro stood before a group of 5 men & 5 women. Kagami was the current head of the Kurozakuro family. He had silver hair with bangs that covered his right eye. Based on the sight of his left eye people knew that his eyes were blue. He stood at 5 feet 11 inches tall and he was wearing a black suit with a blue tie. He was currently standing in front of the Hosomaki family's elders & arguing his son Ayato's place as the heir to the family.

"I will not replace my son as heir! Even if Akari and I have another child which is up to us by the way! It will not change Ayato's place as the next head!" Kagami yelled. He hated dealing with things like this. He loved his son and believed in him. He just wondered why his family was so quick to throw the boy away. "Kagami, that boy will never be able to control his power, he's just a ticking time bomb! A monster!" One man shouted and Kagami glared.

"My son is a generation I understand. His power is said to be uncontrollable. But.. I believe he can do it. And so help me as god as my witness. If you ever call my son a monster in my presence again you will surely face my wrath!" Kagami said as he growled the last part causing the man who had spoken to flinch. "Now, Kagami, there is no need for threats. We're just concerned about that-" One woman started saying but Kagami interrupted.

"I know what you all are saying! You're saying that Ayato is a lost cause and that I should sire another heir to replace him! You're telling me to give up on my own son! When did we magically become like the Kurogane? When did we start abandoning the members of our family we consider to be weak or lost causes." Kagami said. He had made an honest point even if the Kurozakuro had relations with the Kurogane at what point did they, the Kurozakuro, start acting just like them.

When did they start acting just because someone didn't have power or in Ayato's case had a unique power otherwise considered uncontrollable that they could just abandon them. Since to the Kurozakura a weak member was not a failure for being weak instead the true failure was the person who raised & trained that member.

To them it was the fault of the parent and not the child. "Now Kagami that is going way too far-" One woman started saying however she was also interrupted by Kagami. "No, that is exactly what you're saying and I will say this now and there will no longer be any discussion on this matter. So here it goes, Ayato is my heir and that will not change and he will be able to control his power! Now the end of discussion!" Kagami said before he turned and walked away.

He completely ignored the shouting of the elders and walked outside. It was at that moment that his phone rang. He pulled it out of his pocket and looked at the screen as it read Kurono.

He then pressed and talked to answer it as he walked to his car.

"Hi, Kurono. To what do I owe the glorious pleasure of your call this fine day." He said with a grin on his face.

"Ha. Ha. I'm fine, thank you. I called because it's been a while. So how are things these days?" She asked and Kagami sighed.

"Not so great, I just had to deal with the elders today. They were trying to convince me to replace Ayato as the next head. They just kept saying that Akari and I should have another child and have him or her take the title as head of the family." He said

. "Really? And what did you say?" Kurono asked. "I basically told them to go screw themselves but not exactly in those words." He said and she laughed.

"I'm glad. You know I believe in Ayato too." She said, "Yeah I do & Akari & Haruka are glad." He said as he got to his car. "No, problem. My little nephew needs all the support he can get." She said, "Isn't that the truth.. Hey, Kurono." He said. "Yeah." She replied.

"If something were to ever happen to me and Hitomi & Haruka.. I want you & Jin to watch over Ayato as well as your other niece or nephew. He said before he heard a slight gasp.

"Other niece or nephew?" She asked.

He thought as he sighed. "Yes, but don't tell Akari I told you because she wants to tell you herself.. and she may very might kill me, but.. she's pregnant. The elders don't know and I would like to keep it that way for as long as I can." He said. "I get that but what brought this on all of a sudden?" She asked.

"The thing is a specific elder called for that meeting. He's never been my biggest fan and there's a possibility he'll use my unwillingness to replace Ayato as his stand to take my place as the current head to make way for his daughter to take over." Kagami said.

"And I'm guessing it's the way you're not so sure about. And you think he may target you and Akari to do it?" She asked.

"Exactly, but I'm just being cautious that's all." He said.

"Well, I hope you're wrong and that he doesn't try anything, but if something does I promise to watch over Ayato and my other niece or nephew, too." She said and Kagami smiled.

"Thank you, Kurono." He said.

"No, problem this is for my little Niece & nephew as well as my soon to be born niece or nephew after all." She said, "Understandable now I'd love to talk more about your chest but I have to get going." He said.

"Okay, tell Ayato,Haruka and Akari I said hi." She said, "Yeah, I'll let them know." He said then they each hung up.

~~~Kurozakuro Family House~~~

After talking with Kurono, Kagami got into his car and drove home. When he arrived he parked in front of a large castle-like mansion. He climbed out of the car, walked up to the door, and went into the house. As soon as he walked in he heard the sound of footsteps.

"Oh, Kagami, dear you're back." A woman said, smiling as she leaned her head out of the doorway that led to the living room. The woman had long, waist-length black hair and red eyes with a figure. She was about 5 feet 9 inches tall with a voluptuous body and she was wearing a violet dress. She pushed back her long black hair and looked down at the boy with a troubled gaze. She was six years older than his brother,brimming with energy that was complemented

by her short-sleeved sailor suit uniform with a voluptuous body .

" Father Kagami you're back" Haruka said just entering "Yes, I am beautiful Women. Oh, and I talked to Kurono. She said, hi. And how were you two and Ayato today?" Kagami asked and she smiled.

"That's sweet of my dear sister. And me, Haruka and Ayato were fine. We had a good time together. Also he wants to show you something special." She said and Masatsugu arched an eyebrow.

"Oh, and what would that be?" He asked.

At that Akari & Haruka smiled and gestured for him to come towards Them with Their index finger to which he obliged. When he got close to the doorway they pointed inside. Kagami looked in to see his son Ayato sitting on the floor with his back facing the doorway. Akari then leaned closer so her lips were by Kagami's ear. "Go and ask him so he can show you himself." she whispered and he smiled and nodded.

He then walked in silently so as not to alert Ayato and once he was close he got down on his knees behind his son. Ayato had Silver hair and Purple eyes. He was wearing a white t-shirt and Blue shorts. Ayato was a very happy child. His aunt, mother, sister, and some of their friends always said he was like the light in the room, always bursting with energy. Masatsugu smiled at his son and leaned forward close to Ayato's ear.

"Ayato what are you doing?" Masatsugu whispered and surprised the young 6 year old causing him to fall forward which caused Masatsugu to laugh. "Huh?" Ayato asked no one as he got himself up and turned his head to see Masatsugu and a smile spread across his face at the sight of his father. "Daddy, your home!" Ayato said as he stood himself up and hugged his father. "Yes, I am but you still didn't answer me. What were you doing before I showed up?" Masatsugu asked.

"Oh right! I wanted to show what I can do now." Ayato said as he picked up what looked like a violet-colored snow ball and held it in his left hand showing it to his father. "Okay, it's a snowball." He said very interested and Ayato pouted. "I haven't started yet, daddy." He said and Masatsugu chuckled. "Alright, then go ahead and show me." He said and Ayato grinned. He then held his other hand over the small ball and it began to hover slightly.

It then solidified into a violet glass-like orb as that started to release an icy mist as well as sparks of pale blue electricity.

"Wow! That's amazing, kiddo!" Masatsugu gasped in awe as Ayato shook his head.

"I'm not done showing you. Go ahead and touch it. It's safe.

Masatsugu did just that and was surprised at what he felt. He could feel the fairly low charge of electricity Ayato had managed to generate, but it felt cool like it was an extension of the ice itself.

"Thanks, Dad," said Ayato before he looked down. "But what about the cou

Masatsugu quickly cuts him off and says, "Don't worry about things like what the elders (and our close family neighbors) say. Your mother, I, your sister Haruka and even your aunt Kurono know you'll be able to control your power fully someday. You just have to train your hardest, alright?"

"Okay." He responded. Then Masatsugu sat on the floor, crossed his legs, and picked Ayato up and sat the young boy in his lap. "So what else did you do today?" Masatsugu asked and Ayato stopped what he was doing and put a finger to his chin. "Well, Shizuku and Ikki are in town so I played with them." Ayato said. "Oh, and how was that?" Masatsugu asked. "I learned from mom and GrandFather Ginrei shown to Ikki and he showed me a couple fighting moves he picked up, too." Ayato said.

"Really, and is that all you did? What about Your Sister Shizuku? Did you spend time with her?" Masatsugu asked and Ayato's cheeks went red which made Masatsugu chuckle a little.

"Uh, can we not talk about that?" Ayato asked and Masatsugu arched an eyebrow.

"Oh, now I'm even more curious what happened between you and Shizuku, hmm?" He asked with a smirk causing Ayato's cheeks to become even redder. "N-nothing happened! I'm going to bed now! Goodnight Mom! Goodnight Dad!" Ayato said quickly.

The young boy then raced out of his father's arms, past his mother, and up the stairs. Akari just giggled at her son's reaction and walked over to Kagami.

"You know you shouldn't tease him so much." She said, "I know but it was just a little fun though."

He replied as he stood up. "It may be but at some point that's not going to work on him then what?" She asked and he smiled.

"Then I'll find another way to get to him; there's always a way and we both know that. Teasing him is one of my livelihoods even when he's all grown up, and I'll still be messing with him."

"To think that I would marry such a prankster," Akari sighed as Masatsugu wrapped his arms around her and kissed her cheek.

"Yes, yes you did and you know you wouldn't have me any other way," he admitted. "I suppose you're right and I love that about you," she confessed. "And I love you too," he responded as they both kissed before looking at the steps their son had just run up."You really think he'll be able to control his powers? You don't think they'll-" was all Akari could say before Masatsugu interrupted her.

"Of course he'll be able to. The rest of my family and those foolish Devils may not believe he will, but we do and that's what matters. His powers won't kill him, and they still don't know that he's the Red Dragon Emperor," he said as she began to tear up.

"I believe you, but I'm afraid of losing my little boy either to his power or…to That Dragon!" Akari cried as Kagami hugged her tighter.

"I know I'm worried about that too but as long as we believe in him, help him, and are there for him when he needs us he'll be okay." Masatsugu said.

"I hope you're right." She said,

"I know I am." He said. After a few moments Akari calmed down and Masatsugu smiled.

"So feeling better now?" He asked and she nodded.

"Yes, very much so." She said and he grinned.

"Good, I'm glad." He said.

"I'm glad too.." She said before she gave him a smile that sent a shiver up his spine.

"Now you and I have something else to talk about." She said, "W-what would that be?" He asked. "The fact that you told my sister that I was pregnant when I told you that I wanted to be the one to do so." She said and Kagami gulped.

'Damn you Kurono!' He thought as he started sweating.

"It came back to bite me in the ass it seems, huh?" He asked and she nodded. "Yes, and she told me to tell you. That this should teach you not to prank her." She said before he got punished severely.

- 10 Years Later -

Almost everything was crumbling around them. They cried as Everything was destroyed around them. A boy was on his knees with blood soaking his shirt and as a Magic Circle with seals around his body clutching to him, too afraid to let him go. The boy's power sealed as a blue aura surrounded him while electrified ice & snow swirled around the two of them. 4 violet spikes protruded from his back while the siblings cried and screamed to the heavens.

Ayato shot up from his seat, sweating and panting, freaked out from the dream he just had next to his sister Haruka.

He pulled out a mirror from one of his carry-on bags and stared at his appearance. Ayato now has silver hair and his eyes are Still Purple,with black pupils. His left eye was a darker shade of purple than when he was a kid back then. However, due to his awakening draconic blood's influence, you can find a red streak hidden in his bangs and his eyes' color can change to red with cross-slit pupils. Lastly, his canines were longer and sharper. He put his mirror back in the bag angrily, as it was just one bad reminder of a day he'd rather forget.

Then, something came up on the monitor of the mini-TV in front of him. It was a news reporter that spoke:

"Stella Vermillion Gremory, the second princess of the Vermillion Empire, and the third princess of the Gremory Clan, will be visiting Japan today. She was accepted at Hagun Academy, the chivalry in Tokyo, and was once an all-girls school, with the highest score of all time, and she's not only been said to be the strongest and a gifted knight, but is also related to Rias Gremory, the first princess of the Gremory Clan, who's exceptionally gifted in magic.

"Some even claim that she would probably be on par with Ouma Kurogane , one of the finest Blazers of the Kurogane family or even the Kurozakuro royal family heir had the latter not gone missing years ago. Oh, here she comes! The Crimson-Haired Flaming Princess, that's Princess Stella!"

On TV showed a beautiful young woman of average height with a beautiful face, white skin, and ruby eyes. She has long crimson hair tied into twin tails using yellow ribbons. She has a bewitching body, with both large breasts & a voluptuous figure. Many men liken her appearance to that of a painting of a goddess, and that her beauty left no room for wicked lust.

Then again, she's a Devil, and she's not only coming from the Gremory Clan but also from the Phenex Clan as well, hence her full name, Stella Vermillion Gremory Phenex as her father is from the Gremory Clan while her mother is from the Phenex Clan, and is also related to the royal Vermillion Family.

"Your Highness. Tell us about your enthusiasm for studying abroad."

But Yukio didn't want to hear it anymore as he changed the channel.

'Geez, can't they stop talking about me. I'd think by now everyone would've just up and assumed that I was dead. I mean, true, I didn't do much about my name, but who's going to believe that I'm the same person with how I look now…' he thought as a memory of his current appearance flashed through his mind and sighed. 'No one is going to think that I'm the same prince with me like this; they'll just see some random guy with the same name. Besides, I can't…I can't be 'that' me anymore.'

With that, the plane began to descend down and heading towards the Tokyo International Airport, where he was going to be starting school as a first-year at Hagun Academy….again, much to his annoyance.

That being said, his aunt Kurono, who was now the new director, was waiting for him at Hagun Academy, thanks to the Mage's Association, as the Grand Master gave her a letter of recommendation with an unusual high score.

Also over the years, since he had gone missing, he kept up with his training, but only with his Sacred Gear, the Boosted Gear & His Body with Tenryuu Kori Gusoku on him for Six Years. He has the Welsh Dragon Ddraig, one of the Heavenly Dragons. It was thanks to the 6 years of training that he quickly became the strongest Red Dragon Emperor in history, even managing to control the Juggernaut Drive by using Extremely Large Amount of Magic and Spiritual Energy. His aunt Kurono told him about the Seven Stars Sword Art Festival before he started at Hagun and he responded with I'm not interested & Entering won't help me in the slightest

However, he wasn't the same kid that was bursting with energy anymore. He had become colder, pushing people away and never getting to know new people. He's even become more aggressive but it's not like he takes his anger out on everyone just those who really piss him off.

When that happens it's a challenge all on its own to try to calm him down for anyone except his Aunt. They seem to be the only ones he shows any real affection towards even when he teases her. He hasn't even smiled in years and he's become less inclined to do things. He entered the Little League Tournament at the Age 11 & The U-12 World Tournament at the age 12.

He won them very easily, feeling that he couldn't overcome his limits in a warm environment. He continued to train with His Aunt and Sister & Their Friend Nene to control more of his powers with His Tenryuu Kori Armor on Him after winning them.

** Inside a Limousine **

Stella sighed as she finally made it inside where she's being picked up by the Director of Hagun Academy, Kurono Shinguuji.

Kurono is a beautiful slender yet curvaceous woman with short dark hair, multiple bangs that covers her forehead with one that reaches her nose and others on the side of her head that covers some of her hair, often tied up into a small ponytail in the back, and yellow eyes. Most of the time, she is often seen to be dressed in a professional black suit, but today, she's also wearing black sunglasses while having a cigarette in her mouth as she properly said…

Welcome Stella Vermillion Gremory Phenex, Your aunt Rias and your cousin Mio are expecting your arrival."

"Director," Stella responded with a smile. "Thank you for having me."

** At the Tokyo International Airport **

"Yukio has finally arrived back to his hometown, but it felt like an eternity to him, considering the events he went through".

"A lot has changed since I last came here…" he said to himself after going through all the Arrival procedures before he looked over at an area where people placed down a large banter that said….

[We cordially welcome you, Ayato Hosomaki!]

Then a person spoke loudly into the loudspeaker, "Hosomaki! Yes, you, with the 2nd-highest compatibility score of all time! Ayato Hosomaki! Where are you? Holler if you can hear us!"

"Are you fucking serious?!" he asked as his eyebrows twitched. "Not one step and I'm already getting attention…."

"That's weird. Maybe he's on a later flight," one of the young people, who was ready to pick him up, spoke, not knowing that Ayato bypassed them, thanks to a large truck passing by.

He walked to his New Dormitory room 1025, But in Ayato's case, he was lucky as he took a special exam from the Mage's Association and passed it with flying colors, and as a result of that, his tuition was completely waived off and under a scholarship under the condition that his Sacred Gear was not to be revealed at any point to the public unless it was an emergency due to his high aptitude, and as him being a Soul Reaper Blazer to Hagun Academy.

He has already gotten his school uniform on, black arm warmers that stopped at his first knuckles and had a hole for his thumb underneath his sleeves, and black and silver headphones around his neck. When he got to the front entrance, there were many other students talking to each other and some meeting each other for the first time.

When Ayato made it to his dorm, he used his room key to open the door, and walked inside. He shut the door behind him and as he turned he saw that someone's shoes were on the floor near the door.

'Guess my roommate's finally here then.' He thought before he walked into the bedroom.

"Who the hell are you?" he asked coldly. Truth be told Ayato had become a bit of a jerk since he was a kid. Honestly he has had very little interactions with females since he was 10 except for his aunt, and a few of her friends not to say he's dense or anything.

"Also can I just say.. you look very sexy in that by the way." Ayato said. At that he sure wasn't expecting the girl's face to turn even redder, or for her to freak out, and then slap him and Said.

NOOOOO!

~~~Director's Office~~~

"Seriously I need to deal with that indecent woman for corrupting my young nephew's mind." She said to herself before she directed her attention back towards Ayato. "Ayato you know Hagun academy has one of the best track records among all the chivalry schools in Japan." She said and he nodded. "Yes, I know that you've said it before." He replied.

"And you know that at the seven stars Battle Festival, which decides the strongest knight, our school representatives have won almost every year." She said and he nodded again.

"I know this too." He replied. "But lately, in the past few years we haven't had good results. I took up the post of director to rebuild the school. And on day one I have to deal with something as asinine as a peeping Tom " She said.

"Sorry, Auntie." Ayato said as he shrugged and she sighed. "Seriously, Ayato walking in on her in your own underwear is one thing that was an accident but you just had to curse at her and call her sexy while standing in your underwear on top of that ." She said, "Hey, like I said I blame little demon-chan." He said. "You can't blame her for everything." She said, "I can do this!" He retorted.

"Whatever, like I said I'm sorry okay." He said as he crossed his arms. "Oh it's not me you need to apologize to." She said before she snapped her fingers. "But it's definitely got to be to her." Kurono said, pointing behind him. Ayato turned to see Stella Vermillion Gremory standing in the room by the door looking all over the place, trying to avoid making eye contact with him and he sighed.

'This is going to be a pain in the ass.' He thought before he walked over to her. He put his left hand in his pocket and held out his right hand for a handshake.

'What is with this guy! He doesn't even bow or anything when he apologizes!' Stella thought.

"Look. I'm sorry. I didn't mean for what happened to happen and I didn't mean to do what I did. It truly wasn't on purpose or anything." He said before he sighed and continued.

"So whatever it is you want me to do for an apology is fine with me. I'll do whatever you want." He said with a blank expression. "What's your name?" She asked. "My name is Ayato Hososaki." He said.

'Is he! Wait there's no way! There's no way his name is the same as the missing prince I've heard about!' She thought. "No really stop lying and tell me your name." She said & Ayato ended up with a tick mark.

"Don't call me a liar, that's my name so deal with it!" He said. "pfft, as if you have the same name as that prince that went missing 5 years ago." She said, "He's actually telling the truth, Ayato Hosomaki met Stella vermillion. Stella Vermillion meets Ayato Hosomaki." Kurono said.

Unlike last time, she had clothes on; she wore a tasteful, dark gray blazer that served as Hagun Academy's uniform. Its modest color only emphasized her crimson hair. Her most eye-catching feature, however, was her breasts. They pushed up on her ribbon as if to signify their grandeur. Ayato began to remember the sight of her in her underwear, but when he saw her expression, he held his tongue. She seemed to have been crying; despite her snide glare, there was a damp redness to her eyes.

"Sorry." The word naturally escaped his lips. Men weren't supposed to make girls cry. Even if it wasn't his fault, the fear she felt was real.

"That was an accident. I wasn't trying to peep on you, I swear. But what's done is done, so I have to make things right. Bake me, broil me, do whatever you want as punishment."

"How noble of you. That must be your samurai spirit."

"Or my way of stumbling through an apology."Ayato smiled wryly in response to Stella's pleasant voice, to which she forced a stiff smile of her own.

"Teehee. To be quite honest, being attacked by a pervert on my first day in Japan made me wonder if this country was worth the soil it inhabits. I considered escalating this to an international incident, but thanks to you, I may have changed my mind. Royalty such as myself must know when to be noble and generous." Stella's friendly expression, less hostile than before, changed Ayato's perception of her. He had expected her to be difficult and arrogant, but she was actually understanding.

"For being so gallant, Ayato, I'll be lenient. All you have to do is fall on your sword." Or not. "Whoa, what?! You think suicide is lenient?!"

"Even if it's accidental, committing such a sin against a princess can only be atoned for through death. My first thought was to impale you on a stick and let eager citizens pelt you with rocks. I'm majorly reducing your sentence!"

"It almost sounds like you're preparing a meal rather than doling out punishment."

"You get to die an honorable death! No need to thank me for being such a bleeding heart."

"It's my heart that'll be bleeding here!"

"Hahaha! Very clever,Little Nephew." Kurono couldn't help but laugh.

"Director, please! Aren't you supposed to stop people from dying inside your school?!"

"This is our only chance to trade a single life—yours—for eternal peace with the Vermillion Empire. Sounds like a steal to me."

"How can you use human life as a bargaining chip?!" It seemed more like a scam to Ayato.

"E-Excuse me, Miss Stella. Isn't there some other way we can resolve this?"

"What's the problem? I thought you Japanese men loved that thing where you kill yourselves to defend your honor."

"Not me; I'm more of an easygoing millennial. I don't do the samurai thing. Hip-hop is life, yo!"

"That sounds like a very ham-fisted character trait."

"If you're not gonna stop her, Director, at least stop talking!" Ayato yelled at Kurono, tired of her remarks.

But Stella, watching Ayato panic, doubled down. "Come on! You said I could bake or broil you, so be a man of your word and accept your punishment!"

"N-No, that's just an expression! I didn't really mean it that way!" "You're full of excuses today, Ayato," Kurono teased.

"Weren't you going to make things right?" Shut up, will you?! This is my life we're talking about here!

"Y-You expect me to pay with my life just because I saw you in your underwear? Who cares?!"

"'Wh-Who cares'? H-H-How dare you say such a thing, you lecherous commoner?! This is how you respond after defiling an unmarried princess?! Not even my own father has ever seen me like that!" A fiery rage built up in Stella's eyes.

Actually, her eyes weren't all that caught fire. Even the air around her crackled with flames, brightening the room. Oh, that's right, Ayato recalled.

The newspapers said her power was— "That does it! You disrespectful, creepy, crude, perverted little commoner. I'll turn you into ashes myself! Serve my will, Lævateinn!"

The flaming aurora that filled the room shone all at once, revealing a burning broadsword in her hands.

It was her Device, her Blazer soul manifested. Holy Swords, Demon Bows, Cursed Tools, and Blessed Tools.

These items, like the magic wand that was all too common in legends and oral traditions, served as mediums for Blazers to activate their Noble Arts. In the Crimson Princess' case, her special ability was scorching flames!

"Prepare yourself, lecher!" Stella was furious.

"You'll be nothing but a pile of ash when I'm done with you!"

"S-Seriously?!" Ayato cried.

"Don't waste your breath!"

"Come to Me, Ryuuzetsu" Ayato responded by covering his arms and legs in a violet crystal shaped-like armor as pale blue sparks started to fly off of him with a Nodachi. Then the fire alarm went off as they walked closer to each other.

His Device appears in the form of a Japanese Nodachi made of raven-black steel.

and the Rank A knight blocked the swing of her flaming sword with his own unique Device & Ice Armor, Ryuuzetsu.

But —

"Resistance is futile!"

"Hot, hot, hot!" "Of course it's hot! My Noble Art, Dragon Breath, covers Lævateinn in five thousand-degree flames! Even if you avoid her claws, the dragon princess burns all who dare oppose her!"

"What ridiculous power!" Clenching his teeth, Ayato moved to distance himself from Stella's attack.

"Hohoho… Foolish man. You can't escape me in such a tiny room. I'll end your existence and erase my premarital loss of innocence!"

"Hey, hold your horses! Let's just calm down and talk! What do you mean, 'loss of innocence'? I didn't even touch you!"

"Liar! You soiled me with your l-l-l-lascivious gaze!"

"Yeah, I saw you, but I—Uh… I wasn't thinking of anything bad! I just, umm… I was just stunned by how beautiful you are, Miss Stella!"

"Wha—?!" The seething rage visible on Stella's face instantly changed into a deep-red blush. Ayato broke into a cold sweat, afraid of angering her further.

"Wh-Wh-What did you just say, fool?! H-How can you call an unmarried woman b-beautiful? You c-commoners certainly have no tact!"

Lævateinn's flames lost their vigor, reducing to smolders. Stella's attitude faltered and she began to look around the room uncomfortably. Her eyebrows, once raised in anger, fell weakly as tears welled up in her eyes.

She seemed embarrassed. This is unexpected. Shouldn't someone like her be used to hearing that?

Either way, Ayato took her declining anger as his opportunity to explain the truth.

"That aside, you're the one who messed up and changed clothes in my room. Cool it with the 'honorable suicide' nonsense, please."

"You have no idea what you're talking about! You took it upon yourself to enter my room! I used my key that I got from the Director for my room! At what point did I mess up?!" "

Huh?" Ayato couldn't hide his confusion. Wait. I always lock the door, so even if Stella went to the wrong room, she shouldn't have been able to get in.

Then how? Stella had just told him how: Kurono gave her a key.

"What's this about, Auntie?

"Heh. Heh Heh." Kurono tried to stifle her laughter. "Director, Auntie?" They both turned toward her.

"Haha! Sorry, kids. Things were getting silly in here, so I decided to be a little mean. But hey, there's nothing left for me to explain. Nephew, you know Hagun Academy's dorms are made for two people each.

Neither of you went into the wrong room! You're actually roommates." An unbelievable declaration escaped her lips.

"Wh-Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat?!"

"E-Explain, Director! A-Am I supposed to share a room with this lecher?!" Stella asked, stupefied.

"That's exactly the case, Stella Vermillion. Do you have a problem with that?" "I have plenty of problems with it!" "I do too," Ayato chimed in. "I know the dorm can fit two people, but I've never heard of opposite-sex pairings."

"You're too caught up in the past, Nephew. Everything changed when I took office! I've already told you my policy."

"A completely merit-based system with an emphasis on combat abilities, right?"

"Yes, that is my policy. Hagun is the runt of the litter compared to the other six schools here in Japan. All seven help sponsor the Seven Stars Battle Festival every single year, and yet ours loses every single year. That's why I was brought on as director. The first step to saving Hagun is redefining the dormitory system. Your student number and gender don't matter; instead, classmates of similar strength are put together so they can push each other forward. Two people of comparable ability will naturally compete, after all. In short, these dorm assignments are designed to foster competition," Kurono elaborated. She endlessly, shamelessly tooted her own horn, but Ayato wasn't entirely convinced.

"Then that makes this even weirder. Stella is the undisputed number one, so why is she being paired up with a bottom-of-the-barrel flunk like me?"

"'Flunk'?!" Stella couldn't believe her ears.

"You mean you actually failed?!"

"Embarrassingly, yeah. I'm a Rank F."

Kurono cleared her throat, gaining their attention.

"Actually, dear nephew, I knew you would try and fail on purpose, but since you went to the Mage's Association, I asked the Grand Master to put you under surveillance before, during and after that test," she smiled innocently and Ayato looked surprised.

"Wait? You did what?! You violated my privacy?!" Ayato asked as he pointed at her with an accusing finger and a betrayed expression.

"Yep, and with the information gathered, you easily made A-rank. Nice try, though," said Kurono as Ayato just looked at his aunt defeated while Stella looked at him with an angry expression.

"You tried to fail on purpose! Why would you do that, you coward?!" Stella asked, causing Ayato to glare at her.

"Shut it! You don't know anything about Yukio to say that!" Haruka shouted while Stella scoffed.

"I know that only a coward would try and fail on purpose, which Your Nephew is," Stella said as

Ayato's glare grew harsher, which actually shook her a bit.

"It's none of your business, and I do what I want to do, Stella, so keep your mouth shut while you still have it," Ayato spoke coldly.

"Hehe. Well, you two are exceptions." Kurono explained.

"To put it bluntly, there's nobody better than you, Vermillion, and there's nobody worse than Ayato. You were leftovers since you're both on such extreme ends of the spectrum and nobody else could reasonably be paired up with either of you. Do you get what I'm saying?"

"I don't get it at all!" Stella's hands made a bang! as she slammed them on the director's desk.

"B-Besides, it's c-common sense that a woman my age shouldn't be sharing a room with someone of the opposite sex! What do you plan to do if something bad happens?!"

"Ooh, interesting. What sort of 'something bad' are you thinking would happen, Vermillion? I'm dying to know."

"W-Well… Eurgh…" "You're stumbling over yourself like you're drunk." As Stella stopped to wipe the tears from her eyes at the affront, Ayato kept arguing with Kurono. She continued to laugh and insist that she was just playing around, but she also refused to overturn the decision.

"Sorry, kids, but the decision is final. There are other coed pairs, too. And this convenient system's blindness toward other priorities is a good point, too; it means you don't get special treatment for being a princess, Vermillion. If you don't like it, there's the door."

You can leave. Stella recoiled at the harshness of those words. She transferred all the way from Europe to Japan. Ayato didn't know why she wanted to be here so badly, but he did know that she would be reluctant to leave.

"…Yes, ma'am." Even Stella could only fold to Kurono. "Are you sure about this?" Ayato asked her.

"I-If that is your academy's policy, then I have no choice," Stella responded. "But if we're going to share a room, I have three conditions for you to obey!" She held up three fingers.

Ayato wasn't too happy about the arrangement either, so he had no reason to accept her demands. As the older of the two and as a man, though, he chose to at least cooperate.

"As long as they're not 'tall, smart, and rich', I don't care."

"None of those matter to me. My conditions should be simple, even for someone like you," she scoffed.

"Don't talk to me. Don't open your eyes. Don't even breathe." She listed her demands.

"He'd probably die, y'know," Kurono butted in.

"If you can follow these three rules, I will allow you to be my roommate!" Stella stood her ground.

"I'll be evicted in minutes!"Ayato rebutted.

"Why? Are you not man enough to obey me?"

"Nobody could obey those demands! At least let me breathe!"

"I will not! You just want to breathe near me so you can sniff up my scent, you lecher!"

"I'll mouth-breathe, then! If I do that, I won't smell you."

"Not good enough! You just want to open your mouth so you can taste the air I breathe, you pervert!"

"Do all princesses have imaginations this bizarre?!"

"Why don't you just leave, then?! I can have the room to myself that way!"

"This is ridiculous."

"Good Lord. You two are never going to get anywhere at this rate. How about you act like chivalrous knights and let your swords do the talking? We'll hold a mock battle; the winner decides the rules. Then neither of you will have any reason to complain about the outcome."

Kurono, obviously tired of their arguing, proposed a solution. Fight a fair battle, and the winner gets what they want, plain and simple. A very conventional suggestion for resolving disputes between knights.

"Yeah, that sounds fair. Let's do it, Miss Stella." Ayatp readily agreed and waited for Stella to do the same.

"H-Huh?!" Instead, her eyes and mouth opened wide in shock. "What's the matter?"

"N-Nothing, but… Are you hearing yourself talk?"

"Yeah? Did I say something weird?"

"You're an A Rank that tried to fail on purpose against me? Excuse me for being so blunt, but there's no way someone who appears to be a coward can beat me who's an experienced A-rank," Stella replied.

Ayato looked completely unfazed before he shrugged.

"You should never be so overconfident. In combat, you never know the end results until you've actually engaged your opponent," he said before he put left hand in his pocket and clenched his right hand into a fist. "And besides, I'm working my hardest to control what may very well kill me. I've been working too hard for too long and-"

"Urghhhh! How dare you, commoner?! Was peeping on me while I was exposed not enough for you?! Now you of all people claim superiority over me as a Mage-Knight?! I have never been so insulted in my life! This may be the worst excuse for a country I've ever seen!" Stella declared, flames of hostility in her gaze.

"All right, fine. I accept your challenge. But since you've brought me down to your level, I'm not only after the rules anymore! Now, the loser must pledge his life to serving the winner! No matter how humiliating the order, he must obey like a dog! Are we clear?!"

"Wh-Whaaat?! I-I think you're taking this a little too far."

"You can't back out now, coward! You'll regret speaking to me so carelessly! In fact, a mock battle won't cut it; this calls for a full-blown duel!"

"Looks like it's settled, then." Kurono declared. "You have my permission to use the third training field."

"D-Director?! It's not settled just because you say it is!" It was too late for Ayato to argue back.

Stella exited the director's office with a "Get ready to lose, dog! Hmph!" She was probably headed to the third training field.

"Wow, this really blew up. Thanks a lot, Auntie," Ayato chided.

"Hehe. You don't want to be her servant?"

"No, I don't. In fact, I don't even want her to be mine if I win."

"If you win, huh? Well, you've seen how strong she is, and there's a reason she's so famous. Her flames can melt anyone who so much as approaches her. Her presence alone is an overwhelming threat to others. Nobody else out there has that much offensive power, much less the gall to use it. You're one interesting guy if you still think you can beat her."

"I'll have to beat her at some point; you know that better than anyone. After all, you're the one who promised I could graduate if I seized victory at the Seven Stars Battle Festival. She'll be there too, so it's only a matter of time until we fight."

Haruka, however, just continued smiling and simply replied, "You'll be fine, Ayato. I'm sure you can win. After all, you did very well in the Little League Tournament and the U-12 World Tournament."

"Then there's no point in hesitating, is there? All you have to do is win. Once you do, you can make whatever rules you need for your dorm room and forget about all this 'servant' nonsense. Now then, that's that." Kurono patted Ayato's shoulder and walked away as he sighed for the millionth time that day.

"All you have to do is win", huh? Well, she isn't wrong. He knew that was easier said than done, though. His enemy was the strongest of the strong. Her power was overwhelming; an aura of pure fire that would even go against her own volition to respond to her emotions. Against her, Ayato's magical power was essentially Higher under his Seal. He was a Dragon fighting an elephant; it was an insult to even compare them on the same scale.

He had been prepared for such a thing for a long time, though. "No matter how hopeless things are, there will always be battles where a man mustn't lose or flee." Ayato had chosen the path he walked the day he saw his smile and heard those words.

"I guess I gotta do this," he muttered, finally leaving the director's office. He was off to the stage of his duel, to sever the threads of fate with the blade of his soul.

** At the Hallway **

As Stella was proceeding to the stage to face her opponent, she heard the other students talking.

"Look. It's the Crimson Flaming Princess."

"A Princess, a genius, and is related with the most popular student, Rias Gremory."

"It must be nice having an easy life."

"But why is someone like her…?"

"Yeah, the mock battle?"

"With the Cold One, of all people. If he was that missing prince, then this would be a battle of all battles, especially with many others from other schools attending here."

Stella was surprised by that last part. It was supposed to be a mock battle, but seeing many more people as she proceeded to the stage, it seemed like it was the final battle between two titans. And it may very well be.

She then saw two people she knew very well, Ai Rose and Erza Knightwalker.

Described as being stunningly beautiful, Ai is rather gorgeous and is constantly admired for her large sex appeal. She stands at 160.2 cm (5'3) and her weight is 50 kg (123.5 lbs). Ai's curvy body and very large breasts for someone of her height as she stands at 5'3" (160.2 cm) are often contributed to her Fallen Angel blood due to female Fallen Angels possessing seductive bodies, so it's no surprise that like Rias, Stella, Akeno and Mio, Ai has taken the interest of the boys while incurring the jealous comments of the girls.

She has brown hair that she styles in a bob cut but keeps two strands of her hair in braids which she keeps behind her ears. During her childhood, she had much longer hair and arranged it into two ponytails on either side of her head. She has stunning eyes that seem to shine with kindness and her skin tone is lightly tanned. When revealed through a cute smile her teeth are shown to be a healthy white and even.

She also has a pleasant scent of freshly crushed pinecones mixed with the smell of an oncoming summer rain. However, she's also a rare hybrid of a Fallen Angel and a Nekomata. With a very loving and caring personality, Ai is the type of person who treats both her friends and strangers with kindness, and while being slow to anger, there are times where Ai can be in a bad mood, but she is very determined to protect her comrades. However, the girl has a complex towards her figure due to noticing that her bust size keeps on growing over time while staying at her current height and is quite clumsy at times.

As Stella approached to them, they both bowed down and said…

[We wish you good luck, Lady Stella!]

"T-Thanks…" Stella replied, blushing a bit as she was humbled by them. "Bu-But what's with all of these people?"

"They are all here to see you in battle for the first time," Ai answered. "You've certainly become quite popular; these are all of your fans!"

Stella sighed heavily at that and said to herself, "Good grief…to think that they all took the trouble just to see me…."

"Well then, let's give them a show, shall we?" Stella asked before she remembered something important. "Oh, by the way, Knightwalker, where's Scarlet?"

"She's actually heading over to the Boy's Locker Room to get your opponent, and also to thank him for saving Koneko from being raped and beaten by a group of delinquents yesterday," E. Knightwalker answered.

Stella widened her eyes at Knightwalker's response and simply asked in shock, "Wait, what?!"

(Few Minutes Later at the Arena)

As soon as he entered, a large intercom spoke…

[And here comes the Freshman, Ayato Kurozakuro!]

Yukio was shocked to see thousands upon thousands of people, students from many schools all over Japan witnessing this event. He was not mentally prepared for this.

And to prove his point…

"Well, I bet you were not prepared for this, right?"

That voice belonged to Stella Vermillion Gremory, who was already waiting for him. "As I expected, this massive crowd surprised you, right? In fact, at the very least, I'm glad that you didn't have the nerve to run away."

"As I would ever do that," Yukio responded.

"You're sounding more pathetic by the minute. Have you thought about giving up on chivalry and living life as a common man?" Stella giggled when she heard what they said about him

"Maybe I should," Ayato replied. "I'll never know until I try, though."

"You do understand that you'll be my servant if you lose, don't you?"

"Yeah, but that's only if I lose. All it means is that I have to win."

"I'm amazed that you still think you can beat me."

"It's what all my hard work has been for." Ayato gave a weak, wry smile in response to her harsh words, but he didn't try to move from his starting position; he was already prepared for defeat. That made his enemy even angrier.

Hard work… "With enough hard work, even the most talented enemy isn't insurmountable." Stella was infuriated to hear such a thing from a commoner. When he lost to her, he would just say, "Well, I tried my hardest, but I just couldn't stand up to raw talent." As if he's the only one who knows hard work. As if I won only because of my natural talent. It frustrated her to no end. It's not like she had been born strong; quite the opposite, in fact.

When she was younger, Stella was told that she could never be a real knight. Her abilities, powerful beyond her control, engulfed and scorched everything, including her own body. Not even her parents believed she could become a knight. Despite that, she never gave up trying. She knew a great knight lay dormant within her.

To a small empire like the Vermillion Empire, the presence of strong Blazers was crucial. Long ago, Samurai Ryouma led Japan, a tiny oriental country, to victory in the second World War.

Like him, she could be a legendary Mage Knight who put her empire on equal footing with larger nations. She was still burned by her own flames, but if she could learn to use them to their fullest extent, she would be akin to a savior for her land. That was why, despite all the resistance she met,

Stella pressed onward. Three years of arduous toil later, she harnessed the power of Dragon Breath. So many times, her body burned; so many times, her spirit faltered. Yet through persistent effort, she was able to find herself. That's why I can't stand when people try to cheapen my success with words like "talent" and "gifted"!

"The mock battle will be starting soon. Both of you, be sure to summon your Devices in Phantom Form," Kurono said.

"Come to me, Ryuuzetsu"

A large ice crystal shot up from the ground in front of him. He then manifested a pale blue sphere in his right hand and slammed it onto the side crystal and it shattered as he pulled his Japanese Nodachi sword, and it appeared to be no less than 120 cm long.

"Serve my will, Lævateinn!" Stella materialized her soul in Phantom Form, a form in which attacks chipped away at the enemy's stamina instead of doing real damage.

Also in the crowd were Rias and her Peerage members Akeno, Yuuto and Koneko, along with Mio, Maria, Aine and Yurishia, and also included were Ai, E. Scarlet and E. Knightwalker.

"Hmph," Aine scoffed. "This wouldn't even take long. That cowardly insect is going to be such a pushover."

Koneko narrowed her eyes at Aine as she says otherwise, considering what Yukio did to those delinquents yesterday.

"Now, now," Yurishia reassured Aine. "We don't know until we find out."

[I will explain the rules.] Souna explained. [The time limit will be 15 minutes. The match will end when a combatant is knocked out, or when their energy runs out and they're disarmed. Also, this field has been modified to allow magic and martial arts in this battle.]

"Disarmed?" Ayato asked in shock, meaning that if their weapon is destroyed or if it's knocked out of their hands, they'll lose.

"You've got to be kidding me…"

'And even magic and martial arts are allowed in this as well? Tch…so much for hiding…'

"President, I would like to declare one thing here," Stella spoke in her intercom.

[What is it?]

"Since this coward is on the verge of losing to me, not to mention that his skills may be lacking due to hiding for the past 7 years, I'm going to take pity on him as I will not use any of my Noble Arts in this duel," she declared.

Both Ayato and Kurono narrowed their eyes in suspicion as that meant two things:

1. Stella was not taking him seriously.

2. She was looking down on him.

'So she really thinks that she can win? Then I'll make her fight me seriously,' he thought as he couldn't wait to wipe off the arrogant smirk off of Stella's face.

"Now, Ayato Kurozakuro, show me how strong you really are!" Stella yelled as she pointed her sword at him.

Then a screen popped up on top of the battlefield that displayed "GET READY!"

"With My Soul Sword I break these Celestial Bonds that my Frozen Savage Force May be Seen".Ayato chanted before the Match Started.

Let's go ahead!"

The battle between the Genius Knight and the Failed Knight had begun.

"Well, if you so insist, then I'll start off with this: "Freezing Hell" Ayato chanted as he tapped the blade of his sword against the ground and the arena froze over everywhere.

"So, you use ice? No wonder you're called the Cold One, but just freezing the ground won't help you here," Stella responded as she coated her sword in flames as she charged towards Ayato.

Her full-power attack may have seemed unrefined at first glance, but it was still dangerous. Still, it was just the swing of a sword. Ayato estimated the trajectory of her attack and moved to parry, but canceled his maneuver and stepped back. Not a second later, Lævateinn smashed the ground below, shaking the entirety of the third training field.

"Good prediction. You wouldn't have made it out so easily if you tried to take the hit."

However, the thing she noticed was that her sword's strike didn't even scratch the icy surface of the arena, shocking her and some of the spectators.

"What?!"

"This ice is special. It's harder and colder than regular ice, so you're not going to be able to break through it that easily," Ayato told her.

"We'll see about that!" Stella responded as she swung her sword at him in a horizontal attack.

Ayato then held up his right arm and formed a violet-colored icy gauntlet to block her strike. When her sword struck the gauntlet, she felt a jolt travel through her arms and she immediately backed away.

'What was that just now?' she thought to herself as she looked towards Ayato.

"I said it before, and I'll say it again. You're not going to be able to break through this ice that easily," he said as he used his gauntlet to deflect her sword back and slashed at her with a vertical slash and she blocked it, but she slid back a bit.

"I said it before, and I'll say it again. You're not going to be able to break through this ice that easily," he said as he used his gauntlet to deflect her sword back and slashed at her with a vertical slash and she blocked it, but she slid back a bit.

However, Ayato didn't let up as he went in for another attack, putting Stella on the defensive. The crowd watching were in awe at the spectacle. Even Rias and Aine couldn't believe it.

"How is that possible?" Aine asked.

"H-He took that attack like a pro," Rias followed.

But the one who was watching very intensively was Yuuto Kiba as he examined Ayato''s moves.

'You know, I could've sworn that I've seen some of those moves somewhere…' he thought.

The girl with the camera was also thinking of the same thing.

Kurono, Sona and Tsubaki were also watching from the Commentator Area as someone called out to the Director.

"Oh no. Just what I thought."

The one who said that belonged to a woman who has the appearance and stature of a preschooler, being very small, for her age. She has long dark back length hair, which consists of bangs that cover her forehead.

She is usually seen wearing cherry blossom kimono, and an eye-catching red haori, that is too long for her, both low cut and hanging off her shoulder. She also wears clogs, which are heard when she is walking.

They look to see her at the far end of the booth.

"I really can't believe you, Ku-Chan. You need to tell me these things, especially when we have a packed house such as this," she told her as she watched the fight as well.

"Either way, you'll detect it and manage to get here," said Kurono as she looked back at the fight.

"That's true," the small woman replied. "But you didn't see this coming, did you? I didn't think that Yukio would actually do this…"

'Ayato, you can control that power more than this,' she thought. 'I know it and you shouldn't have to keep hiding who you are.'

What's going on here? Stella Vermillion couldn't shake the feeling that something was very wrong. Any normal opponent would've been crushed by the immense power of just one of her attacks. A situation where they "can't get a single hit in" couldn't have been happening, could it? They should have been down for the count already. Blocking her attacks should have been impossible.

But if that were the case, how could she explain the current situation? Despite her one-sided assault, a cold sweat formed on her brow. He can barely even dodge? He's just defending? It's just a matter of time? They're all wrong, Stella realized. He's toying with me!

"Haaah!" Stella took another swing at her enemy with Lævateinn, and Ikki again blocked the attack with Intetsu. He didn't take the blow head-on, however, instead using the momentum from the impact to leap away. Again?!

To the untrained eye, Ayato appeared to have been blown away by her attack, but that was wrong. Stella's immense power was canceled out entirely by Ayato's technique & power. Defending oneself with a gentle parry was no simple feat. Equal in power and he would be crushed by the weapon; little difference in power and he would be powerless to defend against the next strike.

Power adjustment, angle, and timing—if even one detail was off by so much as a fraction, that tightrope walk would have ended in a fall, yet the samurai before her had pulled it off without even breaking a sweat. Faced with that realization, feelings that could only be called fear began to build in her heart. Alarms blared inside her head, screaming, This enemy is beyond dangerous!

"Can't you do anything but run away?!" Stella taunted as she continued her assault, hoping to hide her fear.

Ayato didn't even bother to respond, however. With his vague, mischievous grin gone, he simply watched her unresponsively, carefully, almost to the point that it was scary.

I can't stand that look! He was looking into her; beyond her clothing and her skin, down to the very fibers of her muscles. He monitored every minute twitch, every breath she took. His gaze must have been the source of her discomfort. Only then did she realize what he was doing.

Ayato was trying to gather information on her Imperial Sword Style by watching her movements. "My style isn't so basic that someone like you could imitate it!" she boasted.

"You think? 'Cause I've already got it."

"Wha—?!"

The tables had turned. For the first time since their battle began, after nearly five minutes, Ayato Hosomaki was on the offensive. It was suicide; no matter how great his swordplay, a samurai who came face to face with a tank would logically be destroyed by its cannon with his own Huge Power. Logically.

"Ngh!"

Somehow, however, Stella was forced backward. In sword-to-sword combat, the clear winner in terms of strength was being pushed back. Why? The answer lay in the ray of light traced by Ryuuzutsu's movements. Without question, it was Stella's own Imperial Sword Style.

"Impossible…! Where did you learn that?!" As the words escaped her lips, something—the most unthinkably terrifying possibility—flashed through Stella's mind.

"Did you… steal my technique while we were fighting?!"

"Well, that's just how it goes. Nobody liked me as a kid, so nobody taught me anything. I had to watch other people and steal their techniques for myself. I'm so good at it that I can pretty much learn any sword style in under a minute."

One's swordplay revealed their knowledge; their form revealed their traditions; their technique revealed their principles. Seeing through the leaves and branches to the root of the matter made it easy to grasp the enemy's style and formulate a way to respond to it.

"Once you reach that level of understanding, you can come up with your own style to counter your foe's."

But how could one completely nullify the enemy's sword style? Simply revise every last bit of the enemy's style and combine it all into a new one.

Old methods always fall to new. And once one knew everything there was to know about the old way, they would subconsciously compensate for its deficiencies. It inevitably provided one with the ability to preempt their foe.

"Stealing my enemies' techniques and making them my own is a technique I came up with, Blade Steal. It took two whole minutes to steal your style because it's so well-refined, and another thirty seconds to surpass it. But now that I've mastered your style, I figure it's time for my counterattack."

"H-Hey, is the princess really getting beaten back?!"

The tide of battle was turning against Stella, causing a stir among the audience. But she was more shocked than anyone. Not only had she been eclipsed in swordsmanship & Magic, but her very own sword style had been stolen from her and overwritten for the specific purpose of surpassing the original.

He had uncovered so much knowledge, so much history, stealing her special technique just by watching the flash of her sword. It was as if his observational skills could bring anything to light. On top of all that, the samurai before her wasn't using Much of his magical power with It.

To that man, surpassing the Imperial Sword Style and toying with a Rank A knight, the Stella Vermillion, were purely physical feats. Just how much practice did it take for him to reach that level?

He's too strong!

There was no longer any doubt in her mind. In terms of swordsmanship, he far exceeded her. Her style was simply no match for his knowledge and experience. Stella accepted that fact.

The Rank A knight and Crimson Flaming Princess, Stella Vermillion Gremory, was able to do so thanks to her resolve to surpass all those who were above her.

If he's figured out my style, then I'll just use that to my advantage! Stella prepared for another slash with Lævateinn, and Ayato instantly raised Ryuuzetsu to meet it. Her attack appeared to be a downward swing.

Just from her preparations, Ayato had calculated the angle and force of what appeared to be a downward swing, formulating a response, but he had actually fallen for her trap.

It worked! With a smirk, Stella jumped back without following through on her strike, expecting to take him by surprise given how well he knew her technique.

Though she had been on the offensive for the whole fight, she was forced into the defensive role.

The very fact that Ayato had preempted her attack was what caused him to fall for her feint. His blade hit nothing but air, which was just what Stella hoped for.

She unleashed a horizontal slash, a sudden shift in tactics from her usual thrusts. Ryuuzetsu, still mid-swing, would be unable to parry her attack in time. Lævateinn would then cut deep into his exposed torso—or so she thought.

"Your swordsmanship is slipping," he said, and parried the blow before it could reach him. H-How?! She had changed her rhythm and method of attack; she had outsmarted him. Intetsu shouldn't have been in a position to parry her swing.

But it did! Why?! The answer: its hilt. Ayato had defended himself from her retreating slash using Ryuuzetsu's hilt, of all things. Her blade struck directly between the hands he used to wield it.

How is his eyesight so good?!

"You're trying to rush your victory because you're flustered. Taking potshots while you run away isn't your style; even someone like me can parry a blow from cowardly attacks like that. Losing control is a fatal error! Haaaaaaah!"

Ayato shouted, powerfully repelling Lævateinn before bringing his blade down on the defenseless Stella.

"It's over?!"

"His swing hit its mark. He must've won."

"No way… A top-tier Rank A like Stella lost?"

"She didn't take him seriously. That's the only way—"

"No, wait! Look!"

The crowd, dumbfounded by what had just happened, fixed their gaze on Stella's right shoulder. Ryuuzutsu dealt a clean hit to her right shoulder—but stopped there. Even with all of his strength behind that blow, Ayato was only able to damage Stella slightly.

Ayato immediately backed away from her as Stella's eyes were shadowed by her hair and said, "It doesn't look good. To win like this."

"You knew that my sword couldn't hurt you, and yet you decided to swords," Yukio told her.

"Yes, so that I could beat you with my sword skill, and let everyone know that I'm not just a gifted person," Stella replied. "However, you should also know that this duel…is not just about swords. We can also use magic and martial arts, right?"

"The reason I was able to win Because It Was certainly thanks to my magic ability. So with the greatest due respect, I will defeat you." She said and then Ayato did something that surprised Kurono and the young woman: He smiled a genuine smile as his hair shadowed his eyes.. "I see. Well then I have to say that with all due respect, that you won't and I'll show why right now." Ayato said.

Ayato couldn't move due to the heat entering his body all of a sudden.

'W-What is going on?' he asked. 'My body…what's happening to me?'

Ayato felt something hot in his body, and it was only getting hotter. What he didn't know was that one of his three Seals that his older Sister placed in him, was about to be unlocked; the second one to be exact as the first was already unlocked thanks to his Sacred Gear.

'It looks like my plan to continue to stay hidden just got tossed out the window.' Ayato Thought

"Pierce the blue sky, flame of purgatory!"

When she raised Lævateinn to the sky, the fire within it grew ever brighter, ever hotter, until it became more accurate to call it a pillar of light, spreading even beyond the dome's ceiling.

"Whoooooa!"

"This is ridiculous! Is that even still her?!"

Stella's sword, far beyond three hundred feet in length, was as the sun itself— an aurora of pure destruction. She had unleashed the prized Noble Art belonging to the Crimson Princess, a Rank A knight. She clearly had no intention of trading blows anymore; she wasn't vain enough to believe she could.

She was well aware that Ayato's swordsmanship & Power far outclassed her own, and her acceptance of that fact only furthered her desire to destroy the battlefield using her unfair level of raw talent.

"You're done for. It would be better for both of us if you accepted defeat gracefully."

The words she spoke before her final strike were full of nothing but respect. It was for his sake as well as her own that she was going to crush him with the decisive power of her talent.

Anyone who dedicates themselves to their work like that can be successful in anything they choose to do, Stella except this poor excuse for a Mage-Knight. His fatal flaw is that he can't Control his talent.

"Is such a trivial thing the best you can do?"

Giving a savage smile that showed a peek of his fangs―he replied with his own strongest Noble Art.

Strangely, he took the same stance as Stella. Taking his huge sword with both hands, he raised the blade, and poured all his magic into that Device. One of the abilities of Ayato Kurozakuroi, the Cryo Gale Sword Emperor , was the elemental-influence system―the power to manipulate ice & wind.

"Katharterio Salamandra!" The sword of pure light embodied the true meaning of ruin, incinerating the battlefield as it was brought down.

He was absorbing both the Ice & Wind in the Battlefield everywhere, The Ice windstorm born of that power was turned into an Ice cyclone within Ryuuzetsu, and devoured the surrounding atmosphere. The atmosphere, the debris, the flame & the Ice―anything and everything in the surroundings. Before long, what he had made was a sword of raging storm-Ice-winds, layers and layers of mass stacked together―

"Kori Kusanagi."

A sword of light and heat against a sword of storm-ice-winds. Both blades were more than fifty meters long, each an attack beyond the norm. With only thirty meters between the users, their reach was surely more than enough. If they both swung down on their opponent at the same time like this, they would clash. In an instant, the fire and ice wind from the two blades of magic intertwining rained sparks came undone, destroying the surroundings together as a tempest of flame.

"That was why everyone protected themselves desperately. It was a battle beyond what ordinary knights could bear to watch. But― Before long, the clash between the sword of fire and the sword of Ice wind began to break down.

The one beginning to crumble was―the Crimson Flaming Princess. N-No way! With creaking sounds, Stella's two hands with which she boasted of physical strength beyond the norm and began to feel a pressure she had never felt before.

Her heels were slowly sinking into the ground, and the asphalt under them was cracking to pieces. At being shown this reality, Stella was astonished.

Am I losing in strength? Me…? It was her first time experiencing it. The reason was because her plan of using Katharterio Salamandra to see her opponent's response had collapsed in an instant. It was natural.

Up to now, not a single person had ever taken or turned back Katharterio Salamandra, the Noble Art that the Crimson Flaming Princess was proud of. She had not learned anything about her opponent with it.

Stella had no experience dealing with this situation. If she had no experience, she could not come up with a response.

Stella had no experience dealing with this situation. If she had no experience, she could not come up with a response.

What should I do…? Gradually, gradually. The beautiful cross being made by the swords of fire and wind began to lose its shape.

The sword of Ice windstorm was pushing into the wind of fire, shaving through the blade of light with an Ice cyclone spinning like a rock drill.

Finally, Katharterio Salamandra's blade form was cut through. And Kori Kusanagi fell toward Stella's Voluptuous body.

Slice

His speed left her no time to intercept, no time to defend, no time to even scream; Stella took the Full brunt of Ryuuzetsu's Noble Art.

"Ah." Stella's consciousness was lost to the abyss, along with her footing. All her strength left her and she collapsed. It was a special kind of blackout, experienced when one took what would have been a fatal blow from a weapon in Phantom Form. Kori Kusanagi brought down the Crimson Flaming Princess with only one strike.

"That's enough! The winner is Ayato Kurozakuro!" As Kurono announced the winner, the students watching the spectacle stared silently at the failed knight before them, shocked beyond belief by the unimaginable outcome.

Suddenly, Ayato's expression twisted in pain.

All the Mana in their surroundings began to accumulate with Ayato at its center. This amount was no joke.

"W-what is this...?

(But this much Magic...just what on earth...?)

"Aaaaaaaaaaaaaah!"

As Ayato let out a painful shout, magic circles began to appear all around Ayato. From these magic circles, shackles of light erupted, and bound him hand and foot.

"This is from earlier-!?" These magic circles were identical to those she had seen earlier when his Mana had surged to untold limits.

(In other words, those magic circles are meant to bind his powers? It takes this much mana just to do that...!?)

"Uuuuh..."

"Hey, hey! Ayato! Hey!" Ayato seemed to lose consciousness, and his body fell slack.

Stella steadily awakened, bits of light swimming through her vision. When she opened her eyes, she noticed the ceiling was surprisingly low.

"Finally awake, Vermillion?" Kurono asked, smoking a cigarette while sitting next to her on the bed. "Director? Where are we?"

"Your room. You collapsed after being dealt a would-be fatal wound by a Device in Phantom Form. You weren't hurt enough to need a doctor or an iPS capsule, so I was told to let you get some rest." Her lips, colored red with lipstick, blew smoke into the room.

Aren't the student dorms supposed to be smoke-free? Stella thought despite not having the energy to say anything.

"So that really did happen, then?" Her mood worsened as she came to that realization. She had hoped that it was a dream, but of course, the truth could never be that convenient. She had lost. Even worse, there was no excuse for how terrible a loss it was.

"Heh, so this is what it's like to lose."

"There's no point in dwelling on it. Hosomaki even bested me, albeit in a handicapped battle. You're just not up to the task of beating him right now."

"He could even beat the former third-rank, the World's Clock? That's insane," Stella replied.

His power must be beyond monstrous. Maybe that's not too surprising, though. Releasing His Powers from his seal takes quite a toll on his body. A feat like that was anything but normal. What kind of determination and resolve was necessary to pull off a stunt like that? He wasn't just a monster —he was a demon. Ah, I wonder how he's faring after using up all of his strength like that.

"Director, how is he holding up?" Kurono nodded slightly at Stella's question and gazed at the top of the bunk bed.

"He's in much worse shape than you are, but don't worry. He'll live." Stella crawled out of bed and looked up to see Ayato was not there.

It was My Niece's power that allowed her to bind all creation."

"He saved enough energy to change clothes and go jog, at least," she added. "If he couldn't do that much, his Seal would be too inconvenient to Unlock. Ayato must have been careful to keep that in mind."

"Doing that doesn't take that much effort, anyway." It left him completely unable to fight. If he used it improperly even once, he would be down for the count in no time. But the extreme high that ultimately led to Destructive Power allowed him to overcome the extreme Seal of his High ability levels.

"What's his story, Director?" "What do you mean?" Kurono asked in response to Stella's question.

"Don't play dumb! No normal man can move fast enough that even my eyes fail to keep up.

Could he be one of those… Japanese ninjas?"

"No, those are completely different."

"How could someone like him be Rank A and fail a year?! What's the deal with that?!"

"Well, Rank A is where he belongs. A person's rank is based solely on their abilities as a Blazer; swordplay, physical prowess, and the like aren't part of it. Those are nothing against the power of a Noble Art, after all.

" She was right. Physical abilities were worthless in the face of superpowers. Even a master swordsman wielding a sword capable of cutting anything wouldn't be able to hurt Stella, who wielded the power of the sun. They could only turn to ash. Physical abilities only mattered in battles between Blazers of perfectly equal magical power.

"That's how the world sees it," Kurono continued. "There's just no system that can accurately rank Hosomaki. With those factors omitted, Hosomaki can only be ranked at the bottom. Honestly, he drew a really Dangerous hand when he was born. If you're a once-in-a-decade genius, then he's a once-in-a-Century genius. That's how bad it is. It was clear from your duel—his first full-on attack couldn't even scratch you because he was holding back."

"That's true, but… flunking him is wrong." Stella said. "Why?"

"As royalty, I know just how important it is for our empire to have strong Mage-Knights. We expect the same eye for quality from the academies we entrust with the education of our future Mage-Knights. Flunking someone who can fight so well just because of his lack of credits is wrong." With groups like the Rebellion popping up, strong knights were more important than ever.

Ayato broke into a jog so he could get home so he could finish his own school work, his ears pricking up as he heard a girly scream for help. Skidding on his feet he turned towards the direction of the noise, his eyebrows lowering as he decided to help the girl that was in trouble.

Only a few minutes passed till he found himself looking at a man trying to force a black haired girl against the wall, not thinking for another second as Ayato rushed forward. He threw a punch at the man knocking him back and away from the girl as a serious look dominated his face. He relaxed as he figured that the man was unconscious, turning to speak to the girl only to find a sharp pain piercing his stomach.

"Sorry. You were a threat to us, so we decided to get rid of you early. If you want to hold a grudge, then hate the God who put the Sacred Gear inside you." Yuuma spoke with a cold smile as she pulled the light spear from his stomach flying off as Ayato collapsed onto the ground.

'I can't believe I died because of helping someone…I wish…' He thought his eyes were growing heavy as theTwo crimson glows of Two magic circles appeared no more than a few feet away from him.

The Next Morning

Ayato woke up with his alarm as usual switching off the annoying sound as he turned over and snuggled into the warmth next to him in an attempt to savour a few more moments of sleep, his eyes widening upon hearing the soft moan from it as he found himself looking into the peaceful face of Rias Gremory & Her Niece Stella Vermillion Gremory.

Backing up instantly, Ayato swore he didn't go to bed last night with her before his eyes widened at not remembering going to bed at all the previous night. He caught his traitorous eyes trailing down Their beautiful bodies, his cheeks reddening as he looked away to calm himself down.

'Rias Gremory & Stella Vermillion Gremory…are sleeping in my bed…naked…' He thought, his mind frying for a moment before he found himself recalling that he'd been killed the night before as he moved his hand to his stomach to find not even a scar.

"Ayato-kun! Wake up" Haruka called, Ayato jumping slightly at what his Ayato would think of Rias being in here with him as he turned to wake her. Haruka had been protective of him since His Parents & Sister even if he didn't know what had happened last night she'd assume the worst and blame it all on Rias & Stella.

She Walked into his Dorm Room and Saw Them all Naked in the Bed together."You know, I had a feeling that this was going to happen sooner or later," Haruka sighed. "But to think that he would be reincarnated into a Devil for the whole Gremory family."

[Y-You knew about this?!] Rias Stella Asked in shock.

"Women's intuition," Kurono replied.

For these Devils, it was a night that they won't soon forget. In fact, both the Human and Supernatural worlds now have to get ready, for Ayato Kurozakuro Sparda has entered…or more accurately,the Supernatural world.

To Be Continued….