Welcome to the next chapter of The Magic Knight, before starting the story. Let's answer some reviews:
Hellspam: Yea, I will make sure that the Rating Game match will be interesting. Glad to see that you enjoyed the moment between him and Serafall. I will make sure that her time with Lance will be great.
King0fPowers: Hey, King. Well, with Brave Saints you can only use one card to reincarnate a person so you can't use multiple cards on someone. Don't you sometimes wonder who was the old man who corrupted little Issei in the Light Novel; Manga and Anime? You're not exactly wrong, when compared to the Du Lac Family the Gremory are far richer than them. As for the category that Lance would be in, you could consider him to be somewhat of an [All-Rounder]; his main style would be that of a Technique and Wizard-Type while possessing the strength somewhat close to that of a Power-Type. I think that you could consider him to be that same type. I'm sure that you'll be interested as to see who this person is. I already have some ideas as to who can fill in some of the spots. You can only take one card each, which is one of the reasons why the Seraph reincarnated mainly humans. Plus, if you're talking about for the Azazel Cup, I will think of some people.
Guest: I always thought there was something wrong with him, most of the other members of the Hero Faction had their own personality compared to him. You're right, even Freed had more development than Leo who had a High-Tier Longinus. I don't think that anyone has every considered to allow Freed to survive, though I'd be lying if him meeting Lint in the future didn't sound like an interesting idea.
DdraigTrueEmperor9: Thanks. It was probably due to their status as Non-Gods or probably due to him being older than them. Yea, he is already treating her better than her own boss. I am glad to hear that you enjoyed the moment he had with the Sitri sisters. You would too if you hang around girls who practically throw themselves at you all the time. Dealing with a mature woman would be more difficult than the ones who he deals with now. I was actually just thinking about his Brave Saints being modified so that won't fall (Since it sounds like a thing that Michael may want to do since he wants to repopulate Heaven and since there were now two ways for that to happen. Example: the magic barrier that Christian had made, which caused Lance to be born without her falling). Yea, I think that someone was just taking advantage of her to use against Issei. (PS: who was the guy in the photo with them?).
Guest 2: Rossweisse stalking Lance sounds like a hilarious idea.
Jack Wesker: That sounds like something that he would do, Indra used them then just threw them away. I never thought about having a daughter of Loki or Thor being interested in Lance.
Nero Claudius: I will do something like that in the near future. I already have an idea of the kind of person that he will be, but I won't reveal when he will show his face.
Guest: I wouldn't say that I'm an avid fan of the series…well, not enough to fight a fanfiction about it.
Gremory vs. Sitri (Part 1)
It was the pointed time—
They gathered on the dining floor and were waiting for the start of the Rating Game.
[It is now time to begin. Furthermore, the time limit for this game will be a Blitz-Style of three hours. Then without further ado, game start.]
With the start of the blitz-style of rating game, Rias began to give out instructions to everyone who was around them.
"Your instructions are just as we agreed on before. Ise and Koneko and Yuuto and Xenovia will split into two separate groups. Ise and Koneko will advance through the store interior. Yuuto and Van will advance forward via the parking garage. Gasper will transform into many bats and do surveillance and report inside the store. According to the condition of your progress, me, Akeno and Asia will go the route of Ise's group."
Everyone there listened intently to Rias' instructions, as all of them put the communication-use microphones into their ears.
"Now, then my cute servant Devils! We won't lose!"
[Yes!]
Everyone was filled with a great deal of fighting spirit, it was only natural that they couldn't lose against one of their rivals.
"Then, Van, let's go."
"Yea, Kiba."
Kiba and Van were the first one to head out of the room and headed down the path that connected to the parking garage. From Kiba's statement there were a large number of cars in the parking lot, however, they were unable to move or be used as bombs as Rias originally thought.
"Koneko-chan, let's go."
"Yes."
Issei and Koneko left out of the building and headed out. Based on Rias' reading, she predicted that Sona would read their movement by using Issei to burst into their territory in order to promote himself to Queen. While both Kiba and Van would move together and go forward to disturb their enemies' formation and attract their attention. For the purpose of Issei sneaking in to promote to Queen, afterward, everyone will pull back and attack again together.
Though, that was what Rias assumed Sona would do. The true motive of this was to use Issei as a distraction, while their main attackers Kiba and Van would attack. Since many of Sona's pieces would be concerned for taking out Issei to keep him from promoting leaving her short-staffed and allow the two Knights to assault their base. Taking down the King and claim checkmate.
"Ise, good luck."
"Ise-san! Do your best! Don't lose!"
"Ufufu, I expect to see your cool side."
Rias, Asia, and Akeno had shown the faith that they had for Issei, while he returned with a smile of reassurance.
In response to this, both Issei and Koneko began to run down their own path with their footsteps slowly echoing in the empty space around them. Their positions being easy to be read by their enemy. Five minutes passed since they left their main base, but there wasn't a single response from the enemy. From the silence that was around them, they began to become nervous from the lack of attention that they were getting.
Next to him, Koneko had grew white cat ears on her head and grew a tail. Even though Issei didn't have the same love for cute things as much as Lance, he couldn't help but see Koneko's deadly cuteness. Stopping in front of Issei, Koneko pointed somewhere far away with her finger.
"…They're moving. There are two people straight ahead moving towards us."
"You can tell?"
"…Yes. Because I released a part of senjutsu in my current state, I can read the flow of spirit fairly well. Naturally, I can't grasp the fine details of it, but…."
Issei understood her explanation, it was true that with her senjutsu Koneko could sense and read the spirit of one's surroundings. Again, he fully understood that her senses were better than that of even devils.
"…How long until we meet up with the guys heading towards us?"
"…At this pace, most likely ten minutes."
Koneko answered.
So, they obviously prepared themselves for the counter attack that would eventually come. Several of the methods of attacks begun to entire Issei's head, whether or not he could use his sacred gear in a normal fashion or just use his balance breaker. It wasn't like demonic power was his worst subject, but it wasn't his best method of combat either. Due to the training and experiences that he went through he understood how tiring it was to use his boosted gear whether it was his balance breaker or not.
"…Above!"
Following Koneko's gaze, straight up to the ceiling was a rope—no it was accurate to say that it was a line. Coming down from the ceiling using a Tarzan-like was—
"Hyoudou! The first attack is ours!"
It was Saji who prepared to attack while positioning himself for a knee kick, but he could see that there was someone on his back. Using his boosted gear gauntlet as a shield, Issei defended the attack using it. The impact of the combined force of the momentum of their fall + kick + weight of the two of them transmitted from his gauntlet throughout his body. From the attack, Issei's stance begun to waver before soon regaining his footing.
"Yo, Hyoudou."
Saji called out, with a slight smirk on his face.
"Yo, Saji."
Issei returned the greeting, he then looked on his back and saw a girl. It was Ruruko Nimura—a first-year student and member of the student council. What caught his attention next was what was on Saji's right arm, which has a black snake wrapped around it several times. What was his Sacred Gear? It looked different than it was before. Issei looked down and noticed that there was a black snake wrapped around his gauntlet connected to Saji along with a line connected somewhere else far away. So he came to the conclusion that he put both of them on him during their initial attack.
"Well, I did some training. The result of that is this. So, when I had stuck a line in the ceiling and rose up in order to observe the store interior from above, I saw two people hiding under cover further away. Since you didn't notice me, I used that brief chance to do a Tarzan attack."
Saji called out, with a great deal of confidence.
After hearing that from him, Issei realized that if he were in his position he would have done the same thing. Just something else that the two of them had in common. Making that realization to himself, Issei smiled and declared.
"I also trained. I spend almost all my summer vacation being chased by a dragon!"
To advance forward, Issei will fight against his friend and fellow pawn so that he could one day come close to matching his rival. As both Issei and Koneko were prepared to fight a terrible announcement had caught their attention.
[One of Rias Gremory-sama's Bishops, retired.]
Their eyes widened after hearing that. Gasper was taken out! Seeing the look on their face, Saji grinned.
"Gasper was caught."
"We were contacted and told that Gasper-kun's sacred gear was sealed according to the rules. As such, it was inevitable that he would use his vampire powers instead. "He will change into bats and observe the situation within the store", this was Kaichou's thought. So we utilized our base."
Hearing that from him, Issei became confused.
"First, one of our members moves suspiciously at the Sitri base. Then, Gasper-kun who was doing surveillance would naturally be interested and follow them, you know? Then, when we showed more suspicious behavior, he would call the other bats he had launched and start to observe with several of them. When all the many bats had gathered, that's when it happened. If something happens to the bats when all of them are gathered, they revert back to Gasper's body. Near the place where the bats had assembled together was—garlic, a vampire's greatest dislike. Our base is a grocery store on the first floor of the west side. There were large quantities of garlic left there. It was easy to catch Gasper with that."
One of a vampire's main weakness was garlic and so Sona used that in this rating game, usual a half-vampire like Gasper would be somewhat resistant due to his human blood along with some training. However, that wasn't the case this time.
"It's pretty simple, right? But even if I say that, this method of taking him won't work again. Kaichou said that, no matter how much training he did, he still wouldn't be close to overcoming his aversion to garlic yet. It was a lucky coincidence that we had a base at such a location, but even so, a defeat is a defeat."
Sona aimed for that blind spot and after hearing that from him, Issei bit the inside of his mouth out of frustration. Unable to control his anger, Issei was prepared to activate his boosted gear, but—
[Partner, doubling is dangerous. Now that you're connected to that guy's Sacred Gear, you'll have part of your power stolen by him if you double.]
That's right, Saji's sacred gear can suck in energy from the thing it's connected to. How that my sacred gear and his are connected, doubling is dangerous!
[To detach this line, you have no choice but to blow it away by using the after-shocks from activating Balance Breaker.]
Ddraig had explained to him, something that Issei agreed with.
"Alright, Balance—!"
Issei had wanted to call out but was stopped after being pulled in by the line that was connected to his sacred gear. It kept him from fully activating his balance breaker-scale mail.
"Are you running away, Hyoudou?!"
In an instant, the space that was between Issei and Saji was shortened and Issei was kicked in the abdomen by him. Gahoh! Issei got the wind knocked out of him from the attack. Due to his training, Issei could handle an attack like this.
"Heh, even though I kicked quite seriously there. You also seem to not to have done incomplete training."
Saji smiled bitterly at the damage that his attack had done.
Giving up on running away, Issei decided to attack him head on and decided to charge in. Due to his training in childhood by his parents and training with Tannin, he had a great deal of knowledge hand-to-hand combat. Clenching his fist in an attempt to strike him, he charged directly at Saji. In response to that, Saji fired off a line at him, in which, Issei thought that he was going to absorb his power again. However, it passed him and attached itself to the light inside of a certain store.
"Nimura! Put on the sunglasses we got at that store just before!"
Both Saji and Ruruko at put on the sunglasses that they pulled from their pockets. As he wondered what they were doing, Saji had charged a burst of magic through the line and into the light of the store.
Kah!
A bright light blinded both Issei and Koneko.
[They got you. He caused a burst of light for just an instant by connecting his line to the light and sending magic power into it.]
Hearing that calm response from Ddraig, Issei had mentally yelled at his partner, but he was more concerned about the blinding light. Dogon!
"Guhah!"
Once again, Issei had received an impact to his abdomen, however, this time he wasn't able to completely defend that attack and so he felt the full brunt of it. Due to him being incapable of even seeing Saji, the barrage of attacks continued to come at him from all sides. His back, his stomach, and his jaw—
Bagan!
Finally, his chin was all attacked by Saji who put his all into each attack. Issei could taste the blood that came from his mouth. Each of the attacks that Saji delivered did considerable damage to Issei's body. Despite being unable to see, he could at least feel his back at it landed on the hard ground under him.
"Man, I didn't think that Saji would get this strong."
That thought crossed Issei's mind as he regained his vision, however, before he could regain his bearing. He looked up and noticed Saji holding his hand up towards him. Like his demonic power that was usually red, Saji's was colored a darker color that you could call black. Understanding what was about to happen, Issei had rolled over to the side and—
Don!
A big hole was made on the floor where he was. The sheer power that it generated would have been enough for him to finish him off, Issei couldn't let that happen without even using his balance breaker.
"…Not bad, Saji!"
"Hyoudou. I'm serious. I'm going to seriously defeat you, the Sekiryuutei."
Declaring that Saji held his hand out and prepared to fire off another attack, in response to this Issei held up his hand where his gauntlet wasn't at and gathered a red demonic power around his hand. Even without activating his demonic power, he could still gather enough power for a shot like this.
Dooon!
Both the blasts of black/red attacks collided against one another, with both of the attack canceling each other out. From the attack, Issei could tell that Saji's attack was far more controlled compared to the one that he released. He could tell just from that Saji was a technique-styled opponent as opposed to him who's a power-styled individual.
"Saji, just how did you get this strong?"
"I may not have trained with a dragon, like you. But, I endured the training with the same magician who acted as out advisor! I endured that intense training, just for this moment!"
Just from that comment, Issei already knew who he was referring to—Christian. But before he could even say anything, he noticed Saji clenching his fist tightly to the point where small drops of blood fell down.
"Can you even understand our frustration, having our dream laughed at! Do you understand our desperation as we believe in our dream? This battle is being broadcast across the entire Underworld. We have to show the seriousness of the Sitri group in front of those guys that laughed at us!"
Saji declared out loud, during the meeting meant for the young devils they were all laughed at by the higher-ups. If Issei were in the same position as Saji, he would feel the same way as him.
As both him and Saji were going through their fierce battle, Koneko and Ruruko started to both attack and defend against one another attacks. It was well-known that Koneko was far superior in terms of hand-to-hand combat, however, her first-year opponent was hanging in there despite their difference in strength. However, after Koneko's fist only grazed the side of her cheek, a change at occurred. Ruruko began to shake just a little and her eyes seemed to be swimming a bit. Seeing the opponent, Koneko covered her fist in a pale white aura and drove it into the chest of her opponent.
Bang!
A good sound rang through their surroundings. At that instant, Ruruko fell down on her knees with an odd almost drained look on her face.
"…I drove a fist clad with spirit energy into you. Since the damage was also dealt to the blood vessels flowing inside you at the time, you won't be able to build up magic anymore. Furthermore, the damage also pierced through your insides…You can't move anymore."
At that explanation, a statement that Azazel made before went through his head.
—Koneko's true fighting style, which mixes senjutsu and hand-to-hand combat, will certainly become a weapon. An attack that not only deals damage to the opponent's body but also their blood vessels that circulate within their body will break the enemy's aura from its foundation. However, if she becomes consumed by power, she must stop using it immediately. Senjutsu can read and handle spirit energy, but it also takes in the malice and ill will that floats in the world. Koneko's sister became like that because she absorbed too much malice as well.
In that attack, Koneko fired off a blow filled with spirit energy (or ki), which dealt external damage, but more destructive damage to her internal organs. Though the attack seemed to be not that fatal just a single attack with senjutsu was dangerous.
"…Saji-senpai, I'm sorry!"
After she let out those few words, a bright light shone and she disappeared from there. It signified her retirement from the rating game.
[One of Sona Sitri-sama's Pawns, retired.]
The announcement sounded and with that, both teams lost one member.
"…I have become a hellcat. I won't lose!"
Koneko declared.
Issei smiled after hearing the declaration made by Koneko, as he continued to dodge, while also canceling out each of Saji's attacks using another magic bullet.
"Hah…."
"Haahaa…Haahaa…"
Both Issei and Saji were letting out an almost tired breath, from the attacks that both of them had fired off at one another.
"…Ise-senpai, I'll help."
Koneko tried to come over, but—
"No, Koneko-chan. Please let me to this just between me and Saji."
"That's no good. This is a team battle. Let's work together."
"Yeah, it's just as you say, Koneko-chan. But, while he was fighting against me, Saji didn't make any direct attacks on Koneko-chan. If he wanted to, he could have attached the line to Koneko-chan and sucked up your power. Why do you think he didn't do that even so?"
Hearing that from him, Koneko didn't answer his question.
"…Sorry, Toujou Koneko-chan. I want to win against Hyoudou, against the Sekiryuutei one-on-one. Didn't I tell you? Our dream is serious. We will build a school. We will construct a school without discrimination in the Underworld. And I will become a teacher…That is my dream…This battle is being broadcasted across the entire Underworld. That's why this has meaning. I, a Pawn! Will win against the same Pawn, Sekiryuutei Hyoudou Issei! I will defeat the Sekiryuutei! I'll win and say it boldly! That I will become a teacher!"
The look in Saji's eyes was serious.
"And that's how it is. If I just run away from his challenge, I'd be uncool, right? If I don't do it—. That's why, I have to do it. Because I'm his friend, I have no choice but to fight him seriously. I have to do it! Otherwise, I won't be able to show my face to Buchou!"
Issei declared with the same look as Saji.
Hearing that from both her senpais, Koneko only nodded and stepped away from them.
""Thank you.""
Both of them thanked her at the same time, but he also directed his attention to the line on his right arm.
[He wants to prevent your Sacred Gear's doubling ability from being restored and then flowing into him at the same time as he sucks away your own power. He knows that, if he sucks away both your own power and the Sacred Gear's power at the same time, his body won't be able to take it and will blow up. He plans to stop the Balance Breaker activation and return you to your normal form instead.]
What a complex Sacred Gear!
"This is going nowhere, huh."
Saji sighed as he gathered a mass of demonic power in his hand, unlike anything that he fired at him. It was way larger than anything that he fired off until now. Saji began to focus on the demonic power in his hand and begun to compress it into the size of a normal softball. Despite its small size, it was still as dangerous as anything that he threw before.
"With this, it won't affect the surrounding area. But, it will completely destroy just your body."
Saji stated with a somewhat heavy breath being exhaled, but he smiled a bit.
"I was jealous of you. The pride of your master and senpai. The Sekiryuutei. Everyone knows about you. But, even though I'm the same Pawn as you, I have nothing. Nothing! That's why I obtained pride and self-confidence. I will kill you, the Sekiryuutei!"
Saji shouted out loud.
Issei didn't know that he felt that way about him, it was true that despite them having the same legendary dragons. However, Ddraig was not only stronger but also more well-known then Vritra. But, Issei wouldn't let that deter him. He was going to win against him no matter what!
Saji released the attack towards Issei, which he wanted to avoid if it wasn't for the line that Saji had attached to him keeping him from even moving aside. He wouldn't be able to avoid that attack and couldn't even activate his balance breaker in time to block it. Issei would feel the full force of the attack without any way to defend.
Doooooooooooooooooooooooooon!
The moment that it hit, the magic bullet and its aura spread throughout their entire surroundings.
[Divide]
A white gauntlet appeared on Issei's right arm and caught Saji's attack and halved the damage of it, however, from him using he almost felt his stamina dropping.
"My magic bullet was halved?!"
Saji was shocked by what happened.
"I was able to tentatively activate this power during my seclusion in the mountains. But, it has several conditions. First, the chances of activating it are less than ten percent. This is close to a gamble. Second. This also requires resolution. It's my stamina. Regardless of whether the activation succeeds or fails, my stamina is shaved off when I try to use it and I feel almost as if I'm exhausted after just using it."
Issei began to breathe slightly heavily from the use of the dividing gear and it vanished away as fast as it came.
"I can't stop at a place like this. Let's gooooooooo! Shine! Boosted Geaaaaaaaaaaaaaaar!"
Issei shouted out loud, hearing his call his sacred gear's voice ranged out.
[Welsh Dragon Balance Breaker]
An extra dazzling red and extra-large aura surrounded him and changed into armor. —Boosted Gear-Scale Mail. An overwhelming amount of power welled up inside him.
—About ten minutes have passed since the start of the Rating Game.
In the parking garage, both Kiba and Van entered the multi-storied parking lot. Both advanced forward, while cautiously looking through the dimly lit parking lot. During their venture into the lot, they encountered a lot of spies in their mission. Kiba then began to walk forward and after he had confirmed that there was no one hiding under over ahead of them, he called back Van who fell back behind him.
Their plan was to descend down the car passage on the second floor and go down to the first floor, knowing that it would be dangerous to use the elevator (despite it working) they stopped themselves from doing so. So, they decided to venture forward to the first floor of the parking lot.
—There was a silhouette before them.
Looking closely, it was revealed to be a glasses-wearing young woman with long black hair and heterochromatic eyes (left: violet and right: light brown). They knew her as Tsubaki Shinra, the vice-president of the student council and held in her hands was a naginata.
"How do you do, Kiba Yuuto-kun, Van-san. I knew that you would come here."
Tsubaki spoke out indifferently.
At her side were two other members of the student council and Sona's peerage. At her left was Tsubasa Yura a second-year with a tall figure with shoulder-length dark blue hair matching hair, from the looks she had a more tomboyish look. And on her right, was Tomoe Meguri a second-year girl with a slender figure with reddish-brown hair and brown eyes. In her hands was a katana.
Respectably, Tsubasa was a Rook who was excellent in hand-to-hand combat. While Meguri was born from a clan who made their living exterminating evil spirits. Kiba could only compliment Sona on how she predicted this situation. Understanding the inevitable start of a fight, Van unsheathed one of the two katanas that he had at his hip. While Kiba manifested a holy-demonic sword in his hand using his balance breaker.
[Rias Gremory-sama's first Bishop, retired.]
Hearing the announcement from Grayfia, both Kiba and Van widened their eyes in shock. But, since they knew that Asia was currently with Rias it could only be Gasper who was taken out.
"How calm you are."
"Yes, since I won't be able to endure if I don't get used to something like this."
Kiba responded calmly, but his inside his heart was seething at Gasper being taken out due to the frustration.
"It's because he didn't train his body enough."
Van had sighed out loud, anyone who heard the tone that came from his mouth would have thought that he was annoyed at him—but. Since Kiba knew him longer he knew that it wasn't the case. Like Kiba, there was a hint of anger shown in his eyes.
"But even so, they took my kouhai. And I'd be a jerk if I didn't avenge him."
This tone from him is what shocked Kiba slightly. He didn't think that Van would just say that so openly. The pressure being released from his body was transmitted to Kiba. Even though he didn't like to show it, Van truly did care for his comrades.
"So, why don't we get this started?"
Van asked, as he placed both hands on his second katana and they shortened the distance the distance between them and their opponents. Kiba and Tsubaki + Van and Meguri both crossed swords against one another. Silver sparks flashed from the forces of the blades clashing with a loud clanging noise ringing out.
Meguri who was clashing against Van looked at the sword that he was wielding and felt an odd feeling going throughout her entire body. Soon she stepped away from him with a nervous look on her face.
"…A holy sword?!"
Yes, Van was holding a holy sword that originated from Japan but was also the very opposite of his demon sword.
"Yea, this is Murasame. I got it thanks to one of Kiba's old friends and became able to use it."
Van answered as he charged back at Meguri who became on alert due to how dangerous the sword in his hand was. Both Van and Meguri soon got into a slashing competition with one another with both of their hands on their swords and slashing their swords around at blinding speed. There were several sparks flying in the air as their swords continued to clash. The two of them made sure to keep track on each other's blades so they wouldn't get a single injury. Van made sure he stayed away from Tsubasa who was just watching from the side.
Remaining vigilant of Tsubasa, Kiba continued to fire off holy-demonic swords at Tsubaki. Both of their weapons released a holy aura if a single attack could land then the damage would be definite. As Van continued to attack, while also avoid any attack that Meguri launched at him. He reached for his sword where Muramasa was sheathed and reached for it. He then reached for and unsheathed Muramasa and slashed at Meguri. A malicious aura covered Muramasa but it was then calmed by the holy aura of Murasame before he sheathed the holy sword.
"He was capable of wielding Muramasa using that holy sword's aura?!"
Tsubaki was shocked by what she heard.
"Yeah, I was told that Muramasa was a sword cut everything including its user. But, I was also told that Murasame could calm that bloodlust allowing me to actually use this thing."
Van called out, as he launched a sharp wave of demonic power was directed at Meguri who begun cornered by him. But, someone stepped in-between both of them—it was Yura. Putting her hand forward and together she called out.
"Reverse!"
After Van's attack reached her it vanished and soon changed into holy aura instead of demonic. Reacting to the attack, Van dodged the attack before it could do any damage to him. In the midst of the attack, Tsubasa caught Muramasa by its blade and flicked it away. She then began to pursue Van in that state, but he avoided the kick that she launched.
Gasshaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaan!
Van looked as the attack that she launched blew away several cars with the sheer force of it, and even Van grimaced at the thought of taking it head-on. Though he was far more concerned about his demonic power being switched to holy power. He couldn't tell whether or not it was due to a sacred gear or another ability, but he did know that it was indeed a counter. Both of them could only again compliment the Sitri group.
"Van! Switch with me!"
"Right!"
Both Van and Kiba turned around switching their opponents.
Due to the nature of his holy-demonic sword, she wouldn't be able to reverse them. Van charged at Tsubaki with his Muramasa and begun to slash at the vice-president, he seemingly at Tsubaki on the run putting her against the wall. Sheathing Muramasa again preparing for a quick-draw technique.
"With this—this match is decided."
As he unsheathed Muramasa, a dark/black aura covered the blade at a great deal of speed and also sharpened the blade. While they thought that that match was decided.
"Sacred Gear, Mirror Alice."
Hearing that from her, Van mentally cursed to himself as his sword broke the ornament mirror that she summoned. Pressing his foot against the ground, Van stepped back.
Zuooooooooooooooooon!
As Van was stepped away from him, a sharp wave was released from the broken mirror and a deep slash mark appeared across Van's side. Blood spurt out from Van's mouth along with a painful look.
"When this mirror is destroyed, the impact on it is doubled and returned to the opponent. I am a counter-user. You should have been more careful Van-san."
Van placed his hand on his wound and stepped away from her.
"Due to Muramasa being a demon sword, the damage done was lessen. But with that injury, Van-san won't be able to fight normally any longer."
Kiba had assisted Van in the shadow of a car swiftly, after placing him on the metal of the car Van had winced slightly.
"Damn, they really got us there."
"Yea, I didn't expect them to have a counter like that. How's the wound?"
"I think that I can continue on, due to the attack being demonic I wasn't injured too back. *Ngh* It would have been an instant out if I used Masamune, but I can now tell how the guys who I fight feel after being cut by Muramasa. If I didn't step back when I did, then it would've been a lot worse than this."
They lost this exchange just now, Tsubaki using a sacred gear like that was something that they didn't expect. Kiba took out the medical supplies that he got and begun to tend to his wounds, their movement was completely read by Sona. Gasper being a scout, Issei being used as bait, and them being the main attackers. Sona predicted their movements up to this point.
Placing his hand on Masamune's sheath, he used it to attempt and stand himself back up.
"Kiba. I don't think that I'll retire, but I think that I perform one good slash. You should just leave me here and move on ahead, I can at least try and take on of them out."
"Yea, I know that. But, you know, I promised that I wouldn't abandon an ally so easily."
"…How soft. You're just like Ise."
Hearing that from Van who only laughed slightly.
"That makes me happy. Because part of me also thinks that I'd like to become like him."
Kiba wanted to be like Issei since he also fought through any situation that he was in with high spirits. The former human was reincarnated later than himself, yet advanced forward with the same noble clarity as he had before.
"Become like Ise? You mean become nosey and in everyone's business?"
"That's Ise-kun's thing. I want to obtain his guts and willpower."
"…That doesn't suit you best, though."
"True. But, as long as I can move even a single finger, I won't fall!"
"…I see. Are you telling someone like me to move since I can still move a single finger? What a cruel guy."
Van responded sarcastically.
"If I fall down, I'll do what I have to do, even if I can move only a single millimeter or inch. Because otherwise, the regret of not doing anything would be so painful that I'd die!"
[Sona Sitri-sama's first Pawn, retired.]
The announcement sounded.
Hearing that, Van began to stand back up with his hands on his chest and his eyes narrowed.
"Well, I can't exactly sit down while everyone else is fighting now can is."
"I have a plan, Van."
Van looked at him with a confused look on his face but smiled slightly after Kiba explained his plan even further. Kiba soon appeared in front of the three servants of Sona.
"Have you resolved yourself?"
Tsubaki asked as she prepared her naginata.
Van unsheathed both Muramasa and Masamune, allowing both the holy/demonic powers to flow into him as they mixed together.
Zazazazan!
Holy-Demonic swords sprang up everywhere within the parking lot, though they possessed the powers of both the holy and demon swords that Van possessed.
"Sword Birth!"
The many holy-demonic swords that sprung around them pierced both Tsubasa and Meguri who let out a scream of pain as they were soon engulfed in a familiar light. Though Tsubaki seemed to have escaped from the flurry of attacks that were launched at them.
"Kiba. That was a nice attack."
Van stated as he sheathed both of his swords as standing back up, as he was about to fall Kiba helped him back to his feet lending him his shoulder.
"Yea, when you and I work together again, we can make more holy swords bloom."
"I have no problem with working with you, but I really don't swing that way."
Van joked, but Kiba seemed to have taken it seriously.
"Neither do I, and I really don't like you insinuating it all the time."
"Then find a girlfriend or go out with someone, you have at least a ton of girls chasing after you."
"Well, why don't you ask out any of the girls who chase after you?"
"Same as always...I find most of them annoying."
"Or are you saving yourself for Lacus?"
Kiba asked with his usual refreshing smile, something that caused Van to glare at him yet his face turned red.
"D-Don't bring her into this, Kiba?!"
The conversation continued for a while, as they exited the swords that bloomed all over to crumble and dissolve away into nothingness.
Rating Game—VIP Room
Inside of the VIP room, there were leaders who were viewing the rating game as it continued to proceed. Each of them was interested in how the Gremory Group, one who possessed strong individual of their own right, four sacred gear users (two of which reached balance breaker), a user of two well-known holy/demon swords. All were instead being pushed back by Sona who had far less strength than them using tactics instead.
"Well, that an excellent counter."
Rossweisse spoke out as she watched the match, as Odin's bodyguard.
She wasn't the only one in the room who were interested in the match, there were also other leaders viewing the match with great interest. Though there were some who were rooting for the Gremory Group, due to the amount of power and strength that they have on their side. But, there were others who were rooting for Sona…the most obvious of them being.
"Gooooooooo, So-tan!"
It was Serafall who was cheerfully rooting for her little sister as she sat with Sirzechs, Azazel and Christian. It caused some people to look at her with an odd look on their face.
"W-wow, Serafall-sama is really excitable."
"Well, it is her little sister."
Lance who sat next to her responded, as he continued to watch Sona's match with a great deal of interest. Rossweisse who wanted to talk with Lance after their first meeting decided to have a seat next to him and converse about the match. And she had the opportunity to talk more with him, especially away from Odin who was conversing with both Sirzechs and Azazel along with Christian who conversed with the three of them.
"It appears as if the Gremory were the choice win for the match and I can see why."
"Yes, when you have the younger sister of Sirzechs-san and a wielder of the Bael clan's power of destruction; daughter of the fallen angel leader, Barakiel; a knight who can create holy-demonic swords; another knight who wields two legendary Japanese swords; an adorable rook, Nekoshou; an adorable bishop who can stop time (though sealed); another adorable bishop who can heal injuries and magic potential; and the Sekiryuutei (with Ascalon)," Lance explained out, closing his eyes before he opened them again. "But, a fight can't always be decided with power. Sona-chan is using her tactics and knowledge of their backgrounds to not only match them blow for blow but also reading their movements. Truth be told if Van had used Masamune instead then it would have been an instant out. Though if that wound remains as if, he won't be able to fight anymore."
"You have great faith in Sona-sama."
"Of course, it would look bad if bet against the devil who I was contracted with. Though, after the match, I would like to talk with you."
"A-About what?"
Rossweisse asked with a slightly nervous tone since this was the first time that she had heard something like that from a male.
"Well, I know somewhat about Norse magic, but I have been interested in the topic since its far more advanced than any of the magic of our own religion. So, I thought that it would be a good idea to hear about directly from the source. I was also curious about the Valkyrie and hearing more about you would be interesting too."
Lance had spoken out in an honest tone, but it caused Rossweisse's cheeks to become dusted with a pink color.
"Y-Yea sure, I don't see any reason why we can't t-talk about Norse magic and a-about me. But, considering the current situation I don't know whether we can have the chance to talk."
Rossweisse answered somewhat nervously.
Since it was the first time that someone has every asked her something like that she didn't know how to respond. But, she'd be lying if she wasn't interested in the idea. Though she did have her job as a Valkyrie and she was currently watching over Odin as his bodyguard.
"Okay, then maybe we can find a time when we can talk."
"Okay, that would be nice."
"Hmm, the legendary dragon sure is an interesting one."
Odin spoke out in an interested tone while scratching his beard.
"Oh, do you mean the Sekiryuutei?"
"He is an interesting guy, right?"
"Hmm, let's see until the end of their match."
Odin mumbled out with an interested gaze his attention wasn't directed at Issei, but his sights were on Saji who was fighting barehanded against Issei in his scale mail armor. Though, the situation seemed to be one-sided...there were a lot more to plans of the Sitri.
A/N: And there goes chapter twenty-six of The Magic Knight, it was the rating game between both the Gremory and Sitri except there were some minor alterations. I was thinking about adding Karlamine to Lance's harem since has the honor of a knight or making her a student of his…maybe even both.
By the way, I was just thinking to make it so they won't fall from doing indecent things.
Lancelot's Harem: Yumi, Jeanne, Irina, Xenovia, Le Fay, Sona, Serafall, Rossweisse, Valarie, Seekvaira, Kuroka, Yuuma, Griselda, Yasaka, Lavinia, Liu Bei, Tiamat.
Issei's Harem: Rias, Akeno, Koneko, Asia, Ravel, Tsubasa, Aika, Isabel, Katase, Murayama, Mira, Kunou, Kiyome, Elmenhilde, Bennia, Reya.
Lancelot's Brave Saints:
King: Lancelot
Queen: Xenovia
Jack:
Ten:
Nine:
Eight:
Seven:
Six:
Five:
Four:
Three:
Two: Jeanne
Ace: Yumi
Joker: