"" - Speech
'' - Thought
[] - Sacred Gear
[] - Tiamat/ Dragons
...
[So, this is your plan for the fake-Arondight?] Tiamat mused knowingly as Merlin settled into a chair in his lab, his gaze shifting from where Arondight was resting on the table to his old staff and the couple jewels from the [Chaos Cannon] that were portions of Tiamat's power.
"That's right, Tiamat." Merlin replied amused as he looked over what else was on the table before muttered "Still gonna need some bits for my staff but I can make a start on the sword."
Grabbing the demonic sword, Merlin set it in the space before him and went about activating his [Archive Magic] using it with a series of spells to determine how the sword had been enchanted.
[What are you going to do with it?] Tiamat asked curiously, Merlin reading the results and smirking at what he was seeing as he answered with a question "What's the most useful power of the [Chaos Cannon]?"
[The ability to choose effects of the bullets.] Tiamat answered with a roll of her eyes before they widened as she asked [You intent to give the blade that power as an Artificial Sacred Gear?]
"That's right. When I'm finished with this, it'll be able to rival [Sword Birth] without having to keep making swords." Merlin spoke with a determined glint in his eyes as he looked over the information on the magically created screen in front of him.
...
Merlin let out a yawn as he sat in the Student Council room for lunch with most of the two peerages around as he split his time between having lunch, something Aya and Tsubasa seemed eager to help him with by arguing over who would feed him, and working away at a sketchpad on ideas for weapons for those in the two peerages that needed them. Reina looked at the Magician in concern as she stated "You didn't sleep much last night."
"I'll be fine. It was just busy last night between contracts, starting to design weapons and the project I've been meaning to start." Merlin replied, waving off her concern as he asked "Does Yukari-senpai know how to use a sword?"
"Erm..." Reina started, surprised at the question before she nodded "Yeah, I think she does..."
"That's good." Merlin hummed, getting a confused look from Aya and Tsubasa the latter of them asking "How's that good?"
"Well, I was thinking of making a bow that would split into two blades for her and need to know if she could use it before I get too far on it." Merlin answered, seeing the look of realisation of the trio's faces as Reina asked "What about her [Sacred Gear]?"
"Well, I'd put a slot into each 'blade' to allow them to be enhanced by whatever arrow Yukari-senpai slots into them." Merlin answered only to get a gobsmacked look from Reina while Meguri and Ruruko looked surprised as Tsubasa asked "What about me?"
Turning his gaze to Tsubasa, Merlin flipped the page over in his book before asking "Fists or feet?"
"Erm...?" Tsubasa blinked at the unusual question before realising he meant which she preferred to use in a fight, "Fists."
"Gauntlets of some kind then." Merlin commented, scribbling down a note at the top of the page before adding "Do you know any sort of element or...?"
"No, I don't." Tsubasa answered, Merlin nodding as he hummed and made a note of it before asking "How would you feel able being able to absorb and fire back magic aimed at you?"
"You could do that?" Sona asked, looking up from her paperwork to see Merlin nodding as he explained "It'll probably only be able to fire back a raw magic is absorbed into it but that's more for safety due to possible conflicts that could happen if they absorbed a demonic attack after a holy attack or vice versa."
A knock on the door brought the conversation to a close as everyone went back to their work or each lunch as Sona called "Come in."
The door opened to reveal Saeko with her cloth covered Demon Sword over in one hand, everyone relaxing as she closed the door behind her as she spoke "I've made my choice."
Reina and Sona both looked interested as the former moved to lean against the latter's desk, Saeko crossing the room to stand in front of the pair as Sona asked "So, which peerage do you want to join, Saeko-san?"
"I'd like to join Phenex-san's peerage." Saeko answered, Reina's smile growing brighter as she approached the swordswoman as she pulled out her last [Knight] piece.
...
The last few days to the Rating Game had been somewhat hectic as Saeko was settled into her role as a Devil and second [Knight] for Reina. Training and lessons had continued and Merlin had been surprised at the ease the whole group had picked up [Re-quip Magic] until finding out there was already [Devil Magic] to allow people to change clothes, the only difference was they could only hold one or two alternate outfits while Merlin's version of the magic allowed for the storage of entire wardrobes and armoury of clothes and weapons respectively.
At the moment, Merlin was walking alongside Sona and Tsubaki towards the Occult Research Club to talk with the Gremory group before their Rating Game.
Entering the room, the trio saw that all of the Occult Research Club was already there and prepared. Kiba had vambraces over his arms and a sheathed sword on his hip while Koneko had paw-like martial artist gloves and Asia was dressed in what Merlin figured was her nun uniform. Rias, Akeno and Issei were just in their school uniforms.
"Sorry for interrupting." Sona spoke towards the group, Rias offering a friendly smile as she replied "No, please come on in Sona. I'm glad you could make it."
"Wow, I didn't expect Kaichou, Fuku-kaichou and Tsunagi to come." Issei retorted at seeing the trio, Merlin shrugging as he replied "Kaichou asked me to come as she wants me to assist in the broadcast of the game to the two families."
"Ah..." Issei spoke understandingly before Sona added "I volunteered to do this myself. After all, it is your first Rating Game, Rias."
"Well, I promise to do everything in my power to make it interesting for you." Rias replied.
A few moments later a magic circle lit up the room behind the trio, Grayfia emerging from it as she spoke "It's almost time. Are you ready for this Rias-sama?"
"Yes." Rias replied confidently, "Whenever you are."
"Once the time to start has arrived, we will be relocated to the field of battle by this magic circle." Grayfia explained, Issei looking confused as he asked "Field of battle?"
"An alternate space, created just for the Game." Akeno started before Merlin added "Basically a place you guys can go wild in without worrying about destroying anything in the real world. Also the place makes it easier for the admin to keep track of both teams."
'Go wild, you say?' Issei thought nervously as he noticed Akeno's sadistic smile.
"I will be in the student council room, our broadcast booth, calling the game." Sona spoke up, adjusting her glasses as she focused on Rias, "Good hunting out there, Rias."
"Thank you. But keep the play-by-play fair, okay?" Rias spoke as the glasses wearing trio turning to leave, Sona glancing back as she replied "Of course. Although personally, I'd say you were going to beat that scumbag seven ways from Sunday."
Once the trio was outside of the room, Sona let her shoulder droop slightly as she glanced to Merlin and asked "What is there chances?"
"Honestly... They only have a slim chance of winning." Merlin answered thoughtfully as they walked, "Its not because of the numbers disadvantage they have but due to Riser's [Queen], Yubelluna."
"Why is it cause of her?" Tsubaki asked, Merlin sighing as he replied "She's a magical sniper and by that I mean her main style is to blast people apart from range. That means Riser's likely to send her out to take out each of them in turn while they are distracted or their guard is down. If they can take her out without casualties then their chances will improve."
"You defeated Riser's peerage before though." Sona spoke, Merlin nodding as he explained "I didn't fight them all at once though. And against Yubelluna and the others back then I was underestimated by them and used my Tonfas' [Artificial Balance Breaker] to give me a clear advantage."
Sona nodded at hearing that, biting her lip in concern as Merlin added "Against Riser it'll depend on how tired they are when they reach him. That and if they have a plan to overwhelm his regeneration."
...
Unknown to any of the devils aside from possibly Grayfia, the Merlin that was with them was a [Thought Projection]. The real Merlin was currently standing in the Fairy Tail Guild Hall, working to use his [Archive Magic] to fully show everyone waiting the Rating Game so they could understand the new changes to his life.
"Right everyone. This is called a Rating Game which is a basically a team battle between two groups in a disposable arena so they don't have to worry about destroying anything important." Merlin started to explain, turning to where Natsu was waving wildly as he asked "Yes Natsu?"
"Can you make one of those?" Natsu asked with a eager grin as Merlin replied with a shake of his head "I can't at this time, Natsu."
"The two teams taking part are Rias Gremory's team..." Merlin started, the screens changing to show the young woman and her peerage which resulted in most of the male members staring at Rias and Akeno and female members staring at Kiba.
"... and Riser Phenex's team." This time Merlin showed Riser and his peerage to the hall and leading to a similar reaction by the men in the room.
"Now, there will be a slight delay between what my [Thought Projection] is seeing and what is showed here given that there's a high chance that I'll have to censor some things for the youngsters amongst us." Merlin continued, seeing a few amused looks shared by the older members and Makarov's hidden disappointed look as he finished with, "Also, there's a system in place already so anyone who is defeated is removed to avoid lethal injuries but that also means that the fights can be fairly brutal."
"That's good. Such a system will stop accidents from occuring." Erza spoke with a nod, getting several nods from others in agreement.
"Well, everyone settle in. It's going to start." Merlin spoke as he took a seat in between Lucy and Lisanna before turning his focus onto maintaining the link and screens.
...
The screen showed the Occult Research Clubroom and Rias' peerage before Grayfia spoke through the school's PA system, {Hello, Everyone. I am Grayfia, a maid from the Gremory household. Today, I will be the arbiter of the Rating Game between the Gremory household and the Phenex household... In the name of my master, Sirzechs Lucifer, I will be keeping my eye on this match. By using both Rias-sama and Riser-sama's opinion we created this battlefield. The battlefield for this match is a replica of the school Rias-sama attends at, the Kuoh Academy.}
Many of the guild members were surprised to find out that a school would be the battlefield while Merlin was impressed that they had copied the school perfectly and figured it was another advantage to Rias against Riser's superior numbers.
{The location where both teams were transported will be their base. Rias-sama's base is where the Occult Research Clubroom is located in the old school building. Riser-sama's base would be the Student Council room located in the new school building. For the [Pawns] to use [Promotion], please go to the enemy's base.}
"Amazing..." Lucy spoke as she saw the aurora-like sky of the place the two peerages would fight within. Merlin gave her a small smile that went unnoticed with her gaze fixed on the screen as the two peerages discussed their plans although from the start Riser's arrogance was showing as Lisanna commented "I hope that girl's team wins."
"A sound plan given their smaller numbers." Erza commented thoughtfully with approval, Gray nodding in agreement as he added "I'd love to knock that blond jerk down a notch."
[I'd imagine they'd be shocked to learn that Riser has regeneration powers.] Tiamat mused, Merlin mentally agreeing as he watched the two peerages start to split up as the game began.
Issei and Koneko entered the gym through a back door where Xuelan, Mira, Nel and Ile were waiting for them in the main space.
"We know you are there, servants of Gremory! We saw you coming inside!" Xuelan called out, Issei and Koneko coming out from where they had been hiding onto the stage before hopping down onto the ground, the former activating his [Boosted Gear] while the latter spoke "...Ise-senpai, I will leave the [Pawn] to you. I will take care of the [Rook]."
"What kind of weirdo lets those two girls use chainsaws!?" Lucy asked shocked, turning to Merlin as he replied "They choose those weapons themselves although I wouldn't be surprised if they were older then they look and just prefer to act that way."
Watching Issei dodge the three [Pawns], Merlin figured that whatever training the pervert had been through had helped a lot for him to keep up with them.
[He's still no match for us though.] Tiamat commented pleased, Merlin amused at hearing that as he let his gaze drift to where Koneko was easily holding his own against Xuelan.
"Can't believe that guy." Lisanna muttered at seeing Issei slap the rear of one of the green haired twins, Merlin frowning with pink dusting his cheeks as he saw what was going to happen and began to apply the cover needed as Issei grinned lecherously and spoke "Take this! My new ultimate technique! Dress Break!"
The click of his fingers caused a mixed reaction in the guild hall, the males staring while the girls glared as Issei's spell shredded the clothes that the trio of girls were wearing, Merlin pixelating the private areas of each girl as Tiamat snorted amused [Typical... and here I thought the boy would be serious during this battle.]
Merlin felt his dragon's pleased smugness at knowing Ddriag would be angry at the technique being made by his host.
"What a pervert!" Lucy spoke angrily, subconsciously covering herself as Lisanna hugged his arm as Elfman roared "He's not a real man!"
"Heh Gray he's like you." Natsu smirked at his rival, Gray's eyebrow twitching as he shot back "I'm nothing like him."
"Gray, clothes." Erza spoke, Gray jolting surprised at having stripped himself again as the redhead turned to Merlin "I hope you've not been associating with such a disgusting male."
"Of course not, Erza." Merlin replied in a placating manner, getting a nod from her as the pair turned back to see the gym explode due to a bolt of lightning as Natsu spoke "Sweet!"
Another explosion rocked the screen, the smoke clearing to show Koneko burnt and battered by the explosion as Yubelluna flew about the pair with a smirk as she uttered "Take."
When Koneko was retired, relief seemed to settle in the room as they remembered Merlin explaining about the systems in place to avoid people dying as Grayfia announced [Rias Gremory-sama's [Rook] retired.]
"Come down here! I'll be your opponent!" Issei shouted angrily where he stood glaring at Yubelluna, Merlin mentally sighing as he thought 'The idiot's forgetting about the long game... or even Gremory's plan.'
[You would do the same thing in his position] Tiamat spoke up in a knowing tone as Merlin mentally replied 'No, Tiamat. I would have already attacked if they'd hurt my friends.'
"Fufufu. What a noisy [Pawn] boy. Do you want to explode ike that girl from before?" Yubelluna asked mockingly as she looked down at him before pointing her hand at the [Pawn] before Akeno came down between them.
"Ara ara. I will be your opponent. Riser Phenex's [Queen], Yubelluna-san. Or should I call you [Bomb Queen]?" Akeno spoke as her devils wings were out as she looked seriously at her opposite piece. Yubelluna looked annoyed at her nickname as she retorted back "I don't like that name because of its bad taste, [Lightning Priestess]. I wanted to fight you."
"Ise-kun, meet up with Yuuto-kun. I will take care of her." Akeno said, Issei trying to protest, "B-But...!"
"Ise-kun. You have your own role. Go. This is my job." Akeno replied seriously before a smile formed as she added "It's okay. I will avenge Koneko-chan. I will defeat this [Queen] with everything I have."
A gold aura of electricity started to form around Akeno's body as she built up her magical power. Issei nodding as he called "Akeno-san! I will leave it up to you."
With that Issei ran towards the sports field to meet up with Kiba, the brunet out of sight before the two [Queens] started to fire magic at each other. Explosions and roars of thunder ringing out as they flew around each other.
...
Erza watched critically as Kiba Yuuto took out his trio of opponents, all [Pawns], with speed she could just about follow. The whole idea of a Rating Game seemed like a interesting thing that could be done between Guilds although the magic involved was something she didn't think most mages could do.
[Riser Phenex-sama's three [Pawns] retired.]
Kiba ran towards the sports court after that, easily arriving in time to meet Issei as he slowed to a creep and grabbed hold of the brunet's arm. Issei turned to attack only to stop at noticing who it was as he spoke "Oh, its you."
"Yup." Kiba replied with a refreshing smile that caused some of the girls watching to blush at stare. The pair moved to a spot behind the storage room which appeared to be a blind spot of the court, both boys crouching down as they chatted quietly.
"Sorry, Kiba. Koneko-chan..." Issei started only to be interrupted by the blond shaking his head as he replied "I heard the announcement so I know it as well. She must be regretting it. I never knew what she was always thinking about, but for this match she showed lots of concern. She also was working hard when we were setting up traps in the forest."
"Let's win." Issei suggested with a serious nod.
"Of course, Ise-kun." Kiba replied before the pair bumped fists.
For Merlin, it was surprising to see them acting like friends on the battlefield guven the active dislike he knew Issei showed during school.
"Also was it you who defeated the enemy [Pawns]?" Issei asked, Kiba nodding at his question as he answered "Yes. The club room located in the sports club is an important location. So its natural that there are lots of enemies. I, somehow, managed to lure the [Pawns] around here and took them down. But the person in charge of this location is quite calm and hasn't been taken in by my provocation. Well, it seems like she used the [Pawns] to watch my attacks. Seems like Riser Phenex likes to battle by sacrificing his servants. It's something only he is able to pull off because of his immortality and the number of servants he has."
"The enemies who are in charge of here are one [Knight], one [Rook] and one [Bishop]. Total of three pieces." Kiba added, Issei's jaw dropping for a moment in surprise before he spoke "...That's a severe defence."
"That's how much they are keeping up guard for this place, of our intrusion here. Since we eliminated the gym, they will put more strength here." Kiba replied calmly.
The screen switched to show Carlamine walking out onto the baseball court, Isabella and Ravel sighing exasperated as they tried to stay out of sight by the entrance of one of the clubrooms as the [Knight] shouted out "I'm the [Knight] of Riser Phenex-sama, Karlamine! I've become bored of trying to sniff through each other's strategy! Rias Gremory's [Knight], I challenge you to a duel!"
A few moments passed before Kiba and Issei walked out of their hiding place to meet with her as the former announced "I'm the [Knight] of Rias Gremory, Kiba Yuuto."
"T'm the [Pawn], Hyoudou Issei!" Issei announced next, Karlamine smiling at seeing the pair as she spoke "I'm happy that there are warriors like you two in Rias Gremory's group, coming directly from the front. That's something people with normal sanity won't do... But I love idiots like you two. Then, shall we start."
Karlamine quickly drew her sword out of her sheath, Kiba doing the same as he got ready and replied "The match between [Knights] I have been waiting for this. Personally, I would like to fight in an intense sword fight."
"Well said Rias Gremory's [Knight]!" Karlamine replied before the pair dashed towards each other. Their swords clashing and releasing sparks as they moved so fast that they could barely be seen and only reappearing when they clashed. Issei stood there like an idiot trying to watch them while Isabella and Ravel walked over and made themselves known as the former retorted while cracking her knuckles ready to fight, "You seem bored."
"Geez. She only thinks about swords, swords and swords. Their match looks like a mud fight. Karlamine was making a bitter face when the [Pawns] were being sacrificed. Does she hate the battle strategy of her master, the [King]? But when I thought I found a cute boy, he was a sword freak. Geez, what bad luck."
Ravel looked at Issei appraisingly for a moment before continuing "Umm... So this boy is the [Pawn] Rias Gremory adores. Does that person have bad taste in looking at gentlemen? Onee-sama has much better taste with Merlin."
Merlin fidgeted at the looks he was getting from those around him as Issei looked angrily and slipped into a fighting stance as he spoke "Boosted Gear, standby!"
[Boost!] His gauntlet called as it provided the first doubling of Issei's power, Ravel sighing before she spoke "I'm not going to be your opponent. Isabella. Why don't you be his opponent?"
Isabella nodded as she moved forwards, Ravel moving back to give the pair some space as the [Rook] spoke "I was planning to in the first place. Let's fight since we are both bored."
"Umm, yeah. That's okay, but isn't that [Bishop] going to fight?" Issei asked confused, Isabella pulling her hand on her forehead and made a troubled face as she answered "Ah, don't worry about her. That girl is special. She will just watch the entire fight."
"W-What the hell is that?" Issei slipped out surprised as Isabella explained "She is... No, that person is Ravel Phenex. Riser-sama's little sister. She became Riser-sama's servant by using a special method, but she is Riser-sama's actual sister."
Issei looked shocked at hearing that, Ravel smiling and waving at him condescendingly as Isabella added "Well, according to Riser-sama... 'Having your sister in your harem has a significant meaning. You know the significant view of having your close relatives? You know how there are people who look up to and get jealous about it? Well, I'm not a sister-moe type, so I have her in my group as fashion especially as she's cuter then Reina.' That's what he said."
Merlin was glad he wasn't in the viewing room with Reina and the others as he would have probably had to deal with her fuming at her brother's words as Isabella slipped into a fighting stance before adding "Now, here I come! Rias Gremory's [Pawn]!"
Merlin watched as Isabella charged towards Issei, who barely dodged her punches and kicks due to his instincts before she sped up even more. Issei endured the assault as he waited for his boosts to build up and increase his power enough to face her.
"I was taking you lightly... To tell you the truth I thought I got you when my kick hit you. Looks like Rias Gremory has been training you well. Especially your stamina is magnificent." Isabella spoke impressed before adding "In a serious battle, the most important thing is the stamina. Even idiots can fight. But you need stamina to continue for a few minutes. Battles consume lots of stamina and concentration. Just dodging the attack requires quite an amount of effort. So being able to do it till now means that you have been training your body a lot."
Issei appeared to have remembered something as he altered his posture, Isabella noticing a difference as she added "...Looks like I said something unnecessary. I felt your pressure increase."
"[Rook], Isabella. I am the weakest and the least experienced member of Rias Gremory-sama's group. But still I will defeat you!" Issei spoke seriously as he looked at the mask wearing [Rook].
...
Author's Note
Here's the next chapter.