Hello, everyone! It's your author in-progress, ArtLotus! I hope you all have a nice day because I will give you the next chapter of A Problem Devil, Born~
Be prepared!
Ja'ne! ArtLotus out!
Chapter 48: Rating Game: Rias Gremory Vs Sona Sitri
Unknown Dimension
Unknown Place
A sudden ray of light appeared over the wide hallway of a restaurant. Quantities of tables could be seen arranged all around them.
The ORC group walks out of the restaurant and everyone looked at the interior of the building they were in.
"Isn't this…the mall we usually buy from?" Issei asked looking around the familiar interior that matches the description of the mall in their own world.
"We're fighting in this place? It's unexpected, that's for sure. But nice choice for the first round." Izayoi glances at Rias who smiles at him.
"I did not expect that the department store near Kuoh Academy would be acting as the stage."
[Everyone, I, the "Queen" of the Lucifer group, Grayfia, will be carrying the role of arbiter in the "Rating Game" between the Gremory group and the Sitri group on this occasion.]
Grayfia announced as her voice echoed throughout the vast shopping mall.
[In the name of my master, Sirzechs Lucifer, I will watch over the battle between these two families. It's a pleasure to be here. To get right to the main topic, the battlefield for today is the department store within the neighbourhood of the school "Kuou Academy" that Rias-sama and Sona-sama attend, which has been prepared within a separate space as the game field.]
As everyone listened in on Grayfia, Izayoi had taken to stand in front of the guide map of the department store's interior that was depicted on the dining floor's wall. His eyes scanned through each of the layout in the shopping mall.
[Both groups have been transported to their respective "bases". Rias-sama's "base" is on the second floor of the east side, while Sona-sama's "base" is on the first floor of the west side. In order for "Pawns" to promote, please go to your opponent's "bases".]
Hearing the information regarding the location of their opponent, Izayoi begin to locate the said location. Once found, he tried to speculate the type of offence that will be use to surprise them. But once again, he thought about each member of the Student Council group, knowing each and every one of them.
"8 against 9…Sona wouldn't risk herself to allow a pincer attack towards our base. It'll be too guarded by then. So what is she planning?" The blonde thought before he heard Grayfia's voice again.
[This time, there will be special rules. Documents on this have been sent to each group, so please check them. A single bottle of the healing item "Phoenix Tears" has been provided to each team. Furthermore, the time to strategize before the battle is thirty minutes. Contact with the opponent during this time is forbidden. The game is scheduled to start after thirty minutes. Then, let the strategy time begin.]
After the announcement, everyone begin to huddle up with the blonde in front of the guide map on the dining floor's wall.
"Do you have something, Izayoi-kun?" Rias asked looking at the thoughtful look present on his face as he looked upon the rule of the game.
"Why don't you take a look for yourself? With this rule in motion, it'll limit us greatly." He said knowledgeably as Rias looks over at the rule and read it out loud.
"The rule this time states [Don't destroy the department store which has become the battlefield]; in other words, we can't do any showy battles."
"Correct. Issei, Xenovia and Akeno are benefactors to this rule. This game limits them to use anything other than their best in a massive wide area. In other words, they're handicapped." Izayoi turns around and sits on top of the table before spreading his arms to latch onto the edge of the table.
"Ah…The first Rating Game and I can't use my very best shot?" Issei grumbled slumping his shoulders, knowing that he cannot use his Dragon Shot. A great fire attack that used doubled fire magic which he had obtained in the vigorous training with Tannin and one that he wanted to use for a long time in this game. "On top of that, neither Xenovia nor Akeno-senpai can use each of their own power. Xenovia with Durandal that potentially could wipe out anything with a single slash and Akeno's lightning assault that could affect a massive wide range to finish off any opponents within the area. But due to the rule set up for the game, it limited their abilities to use either of them."
"This is really troublesome. A battle of large mass attacks has been mostly sealed."
Akeno put a hand against her cheek with a troubled face after letting out a sigh.
"Gasper's eyes won't be as effective. There are too many places to hide within the department store. All the goods and products have also been exactly reproduced, so there is an overflowing amount of objects to obstruct his vision. There is also the possibility of surprise attack in the dark…It's troubling. This is a disadvantageous battlefield for our special characteristics. Because the Rias Gremory group's forte is to battle showily, we're completely sealed." Rias explained with a deep frown.
"Then, this leave us with no other choice." Izayoi voiced out amongst everyone as they looked up at him.
"What do you suggest we do, Izayoi-senpai?" Kiba questioned.
"We don't know what abilities some of Sona's members have and also we don't know exactly how they're gonna attack. They could attack us from every direction if they wanted to." Izayoi explained looking down. "So I suggest we'll stay here for the time being without any scouting on each store. After the thirty minutes is up, all of you stay here."
"Why is that?" Rias asked in confusion as Izayoi answered for her.
"They wouldn't attack us if we're together."
"…Do you mean…they're gonna take us out one by one if we proceed?"
"That's a possibility. They want to win; more than us in fact. Their reputation as a group isn't as famed as us. So you can practically work out the lines that they are trying their best to be recognised in spite of their lesser force." Izayoi explained before he jumps away from the table and pull down his hood, covering his face. "Although the possibilities is endless, but everyone is watching which means they will expect us to do the basics to prepare for a battle so to speak. But we're not going to do that in this battle." The blonde stated before continuing. "The best course of action to counter against that sort of possibility that might or might not be; is none other than to fight them head on without using as much manpower as we should."
"This course of action will either be…a 50/50 chance, correct?" Akeno asked as the blonde nods.
"Or do you want me to do all the work? I can, if you want." Izayoi let out a knowing smile as Akeno lick her lips absentmindedly.
"Rias-buchou, his offer is tempting. Do you know?"
"That's out of the question. We can't let him win the battle for us. We have to be conservative to win for ourselves. We can't always rely on Izayoi-kun."
"Clever. She's right." Izayoi nodded in agreement. "But continuing from where I left off; it's better to catch them by surprise with minimal manpower."
"So you're saying you volunteered to be that manpower?" Rias asked as Izayoi smirks.
"What better suggestion you have there, Rias." He pocketed his hands into his hoodie pouch. "Then you wouldn't mind if I borrow Kiba for this, right?" At this Rias looks over at Kiba who steps up.
"I'm ready whenever you are, Izayoi-senpai." The blonde nods at him before turning to Rias.
"If we proceed with what you have in mind; you'll let Gasper do it alone when you pair the others off right?"
"Right."
"Don't worry, I would do that too but in another situation different than this. You and I both know his potential, so we're confident that he'll do fine. Right? He didn't do all of that training for nothing." He turns to the others who nodded at him while Gasper watches on.
"That is right. We along with Gasper trained for this." Akeno exclaimed with a nod.
"But there's one thing you forgot about; his weakness as a vampire. If our battlefield is planned to be set like this, there's no doubt the opponent which have known about Gasper to cripple him with…"
"Garlic." Akeno answered as the blonde nodded.
"Even if this whole mall is a fabrication of the original but they're the one the same. Including the food." Looking at him, Rias slowly nods in understanding with a tint of sadness. But the red head waves off the worry since she knows that her husband was right.
"You're right."
"Don't feel self-conscious. People learn from their mistakes, right? Anyway, you've been training on something else other than strategizing, right?"
Recalling the time she spent in Kyoto, the red head nodded. A small smile spread across her cheeks as she thought about the new power that she trained vigorously every day for the next two weeks in Kyoto with the help of Yasaka and Kuroka. At the thought of the two, sadness overcome her at the former. She glances up at the blonde, thinking if he did knew about the tragedy that befell in Kyoto. She then rid herself of the thoughts to focus on the matters at hand.
But strangely something made her recall back to her previous thoughts and she consciously grabs onto her husband's right hand, catching the blonde by surprise.
"We need to talk." The statement causes confusion amidst everyone as they looked at the couple in confusion, wondering what the issue is. Everyone then watch the two secluded themselves to the deep parts of the restaurant, specifically the manager room.
Once the two were inside, Rias quietly shut the door before addressing to her husband who looks around the room. The red head steps away from the door and walk towards the blonde. When she had closed the distance between them, she had caught his attention and without a word, she wraps him in her embrace.
"Is everything—"
"Do you know what happened in Kyoto?" At the question, it immediately silences the blonde who held his mouth open before he closes it. After a few moments, the red head continued. "A day before the Gathering of Young Devils, someone—a group arrived and tried to kidnap Yasaka-sama. At the time, Serafall and I were just going to go back to the castle but an explosion occurred. We quickly went to check it out until another explosion went off. I was separated from Serafall and tried to look for Kunou. But when I do found her, Yasaka wasn't there with her." Rias explained to him as her grip on him tightens a bit. "Shiroyasha said they'd escaped right before she could do anything to stop them."
"Really…"
"Izayoi-kun?" Rias gazes upwards as Izayoi puts down his head on top of hers. "I'm sorry I couldn't do anything—"
"No, it's not your fault. Neither its Serafall nor Kunou. I don't blame Shiroyasha either. The ones to blame are the kidnappers." Izayoi's voice went deeper as his eyes narrowed.
"Is Kunou alright by the way? When you arrived, did she…?" At the mention of his blonde daughter, Izayoi let out a small smile.
"She missed me, alright. She cried once she told me how Yasaka was kidnapped. She was asleep at the time so she didn't know. But she managed to get something out of the kidnappers." At the last part, Rias pulls her head back to look at him directly.
"Did she?"
"A description." Izayoi answered. "One of them wore ancient chinese attire over a uniform. She also saw that he wielded a spear."
"Does she know his identity?"
"No. She collapsed before she could try to save her."
"Well, she did gave us important information to help us find Yasaka-sama." Rias smiles at him as the blonde looked at the hopeful smile and return it with a smile of his own.
"Yeah, I can't wait to find who though."
"I know. I can imagine you'll go for his face."
"How do you know?" The red head knowingly smile before pecking his lips and hugs him before pulling back.
"A wife's intuition." She confidently said smiling. "Ne, Izayoi-kun…" She called as the blonde looks down at her.
"Yeah?" Rias looks down in thought, recalling about the recent morning sickness she's been experiencing and wanted to tell that information to her husband. But strangely she doesn't have the heart to for some reason.
"…It's nothing." She looks up and smiles in reassurance.
The blonde looks at her in confusion for a moment before he nods in dismissal of the topic and the red head pecks him on the lips.
"Anyway, we should go. The others might be waiting." The blonde nodded and the two started heading out towards the door before they heard shuffling from the other side. The two looked at each other before they opens the door and walk outside to see Issei sitting across and chatting with Asia with a nervous smile while Xenovia and Koneko sat next to him, minding their own business by staring out the restaurant.
"Ara, ara. What did you two discuss inside?" Akeno asked appearing in front of the couple as Rias looks at Izayoi.
"Nothing. We were discussing about the time where Izayoi-kun was recuperating from his wounds." She smiled up the blonde as Akeno looked between the two before replying.
"Really? I can't seem to believe it if you had a chance to engage in a total make-out session."
"No! We-We're not." Rias said as she glances sideways.
"Rias?" At the mention of her name, Rias looks at her blonde husband and saw that she was pinching his right cheek.
Muttering an apology, Rias pulled back her hand as Izayoi raises his eyebrow in amusement of his behaviour.
"Is it a trait that your family does?" Izayoi asked as Rias looks surprise.
"What? No."
"It's hard to believe it if you can't seem to lie properly." Izayoi smiled as Rias blushes and lightly glares at him.
"It-It's not always, okay?" She stated before glancing down.
"Rias." Hearing her name being called again, Rias looks up only to see she was pinching his cheek again.
"Sorry, Izayoi-kun." Rias apologised her cheeks red from embarrassment. "It's a trait in the Gremory family. I'll stop it if you want but I don't know if I…"
"I don't mind."
"You don't?" Rias asked seemingly surprised by his answer.
"No, it's amusing to say the least. One, you're embarrassed. Two, you look cute." The blonde complimented which causes Rias to blush and covered her whole face.
"Ain't this cute?" Akeno added with a hand under her chin as Rias's blush deepen.
"Akeno, I suggest you do not involve yourself in this matter. It isn't helping."
"I apologize, Rias-buchou. But I'm helping Izayoi-kun." Akeno stifle a laugh as Rias glares at her with a blush on her cheeks while Izayoi look on in amusement.
~Time Skip~
"Xenovia." The said girl looks up at Izayoi standing next to Kiba. She then stands up from her seat across Asia and approaches them.
"Can I be of any help, Izayoi-kun?" Xenovia asked standing in front of Izayoi and Kiba. "Do you need help to charge in on our enemies because I'm willing to volunteer."
"No. You have another job to take care of."
"What is that?"
"It's your job to watch over the others. Mainly those three over there." Izayoi looks behind her to which Xenovia looked at Issei, Asia and Gasper sitting nearby. "Can you do that?"
Turning back to the blonde, Xenovia nods in determination. "I will do my best. Though I cannot use Durandal during this battle but I wish both of you the best." She smiled before she turns around to head towards the others but Izayoi's voice stops her.
"I think you can help with something, Xenovia."
"Hm?" She looks at the blonde.
"We'll set out a moment later. But first," Izayoi turns to Xenovia and smiled at her. "Can I borrow Durandal for a minute?"
At the question, Xenovia cannot help but express a curious look.
~Time of the Decisive Battle~
"So what is the plan, Izayoi-taichou?" Kiba asked standing behind his blonde senior and watches him swinging Durandal around without any difficulty. After thirty minutes of being in the restaurant, the two of them immediately begin setting out to face their enemies. Currently, the two of them were standing outside the restaurant, in the middle of the empty looking shopping mall, waiting for the announcement to start the battle. With his sword clutched in his hand, Kiba watches the blonde lets down Durandal before addressing him.
"When I give the signal, immediately inform the others to get out of the restaurant. This time, we'll test your reaction time." Izayoi turns his head halfway and gives a smirk to Kiba who stared at him before proceeding nodding at his command. "You ready?"
"Yes." Immediately after Kiba had uttered the word, the blonde immediately sprinted forward surprising Kiba before he followed suite. During the sprint, Kiba could see the running blonde carrying Durandal with ease doubting that the Holy Sword would be able to slow his senior down with its heavy weight. But he was impressed at him nonetheless since the speed they were going was above the limit of normal human and if wielding Durandal while sprinting at the speed they were travelling, he admit that it would be slightly hard. He also noted how his senior's footsteps were not destroying the tiles as he sprinted and they looked light as a feather.
As they passed store after store, Izayoi squinted his eyes and a smirk spread across his lips, seeing what was ahead of them. Gripping Durandal in his right hand, he pumps his legs forward and promptly slashes through the three blue lines connected across the mall, surprising Saji who was sent towards the store behind him via glass window, breaking it from the force the lines were cut. And
"Saji!" Ruruko, one of Sona Sitri's Pawns alongside Saji, shouted as she went to help her senior but she stopped herself before a slashing motion appeared behind her and Kiba passes her swiftly to follow his senior that had already gone ahead after cutting the lines. Not realising what happen, a stinging feeling hits the Pawn. "What…" Ruruko mutters in a daze before she fell forward to the ground with a slash mark behind her back.
"Ugh…Huh? Ruruko!" Saji immediately gotten back up from the shattered pieces of glasses scattered around him before he hops out from the store to tend to his comrade. "Can you stand up?" He asked looking at the blood dripping from her back before glancing at the two speeding blondes heading towards their base. Gritting his teeth, Saji looks around before he supported Ruruko to be sit on the wooden bench a few distance from them.
West Side of the Second Floor
Arriving at the west side of the shopping mall, both Izayoi and Kiba stops to stand before the latter promptly looked around for any enemies at the wake. When there is none, Kiba addresses to his senior.
"It's safe."
"Yeah."
"Izayoi-taichou, what are we going to do exactly? We've come from the east towards the west side of the shopping mall. Since the enemy base is located in the first floor at the west side, I expect that this is an infiltration?" Kiba asked once he reaches the elevator doors with his senior standing a few steps ahead.
"Yes and no." Izayoi answered stopping himself from pushing the down button to answer his second-year junior.
"What do you mean?"
"It is an infiltration but we'll face them head-on soon."
"But if we face them; what will the others do in the meantime? Are they going to wait only?"
"What do you think we let Saji go in the first place if we can deal with him there and then?" From his statement, Kiba stares out in realisation. "Sooner or later, Issei will come out to face him."
"But that's against your command."
"Not exactly. Koneko will helped him realise that an enemy is near. I doubt that she wouldn't use her new power for this battle. She knows that she has to use it. It's an act of self-defence, no harm done."
"You really plan all of this from the beginning, did you?"
"What did you take me for? Although, Rias and Akeno would not be engaging in any fights right now but they will be soon enough. Curiosity will be the deciding factor for the opposite team since they wouldn't anticipate our movement as of yet. Sona would anticipate her best friend's move out of logic and so on. So we're just levelling the playing field."
"I get it."
"Exactly what do you think we'll be doing?" Izayoi turns his head to look at his second-year junior.
"Judging by our use of entering the elevator at the west side of the mall, we'll storm right through the base."
"Exactly just that. Their base is a grocery store." Izayoi lets down Durandal as the tip slightly hover above the cemented tiles. "We're using the elevator because it's so much more convenient than walking through stairs."
"How do you know that it's not rigged?"
"There's two possibilities; one, it isn't rig. Two, are there any magic to rig a trap in a elevator?" Izayoi asked at the last part as Kiba let out an amused smile which borders to happiness.
"I think there are some to rig traps. Whether it's indoors or outdoors, Izayoi-taichou. It's all the same. We, Devils always looked for opportunities to our advantage."
"Hm, then let's hope on that first possibility."Izayoi pushes the down button, causing it to light up in orange.
"Why is that?"
"Do you think they'll rig it when they are so busy on anticipating us to attack?"
"There is a slight chance." At this, the elevator door opens and the two looked at each other.
"Oh well, time to find out once and for all."
Gremory Base
Restaurant
"Koneko-chan?" Issei asked as he and everyone watches the white haired nekoshou transform into her nekomata form, revealing two white cat ears and a tail to sprout out.
"Is there something wrong, Koneko-chan?"Asia asked peering over the petite girl.
"Someone is coming. It's not Kiba-senpai or Izayoi-senpai." At the statement, Koneko and the others looked at Rias standing behind them with Akeno next to her.
"How many?"
"Two."
"Issei, Koneko. Get ready for battle." With that, both Issei and Koneko nods. "The rest of us, we'll stay and watch. If they are in need of help, quickly aid them alright?"She asked as Akeno nods along with Xenovia and Gasper.
"Koneko-chan, let's go." Issei exclaimed to the girl who nodded before she follows after him outside the restaurant.
When they stood in front of the restaurant, Issei turns to Koneko. "Where are they?"
"They're heading from our right side." With that, Koneko looks at the said direction followed by Issei who readies himself to use his Balance Breaker at any given moment. Just as they waited with baited breath to face their opponents, the sound of footsteps could be heard heading their way. Before long, Issei stood in confusion as he saw Saji supporting his female comrade as they walked towards them. Issei and Koneko looked at each other before turning back to look at Saji who sporting cuts than his comrade that appeared unscathed. But then, drops of blood could be seen falling down from the girl's back.
"Do you think it's them?" Issei asked Koneko who nodded.
"Yes, there's no one to inflict damage than them. They must encounter Kiba-senpai and Izayoi-senpai on their way here while they were setting out."
"Bad time." Issei concluded to his friend's condition as Koneko nodded again.
"Leave me be, Saji-kun. I'm in no better shape to fight than be a burden to you." Ruruko stated wincing at every step they took as Saji continued trudging onwards before he stops and looks up, seeing Issei and Koneko on sight.
"But you can't give up yet, Ruruko. You have to stay longer." Saji admitted as Ruruko winced before smiling.
"Anything you say, Saji-kun. You can let go of me." She said to him as Saji promptly let go of her as Ruruko steadies herself to regain her fighting stance.
Looking at her determined face, Saji looked up ahead and proceeded to summon his Sacred Gear as they covered his knees and wrists in black armor. "Yo, Hyoudou. Sorry for the delay."
"You guys run into Izayoi-senpai did you?" Issei asked.
"Yeah, unfortunately. We took little damage but we can still fight!" Saji stated before enlisting his connection line towards Issei, who dodges sideways and landed on his chest. "What's wrong? Scared that I'll take your powers?"
"You don't know half of it." Issei admitted before standing up and glances at Koneko, who held a fighting stance.
"Ready, Issei-senpai?"
"Ready as I'll ever be." Thus, the two finally charges towards their enemies in a heated battle of fists.
Gremory Base
"They have started." Akeno said to Rias as she could hear the sounds of fighting from outside.
Nodding towards her, Rias holds thinking pose as she tried to figure out her husband's plan to counter against her best friend. "Akeno, do you know Izayoi-kun plan?"
"Do you mean his real plan?"
"Yes. I did not think that he had debrief us of his plan except letting him go to be a decoy or distraction."
"I do not think he's a decoy or distraction, Rias-chan. I think he's the fighting force with Kiba."
"With all that was said, is that his plan?"
"Maybe. For all I know, he might be right on doing so since Sona-sama could pretty much anticipate your strategy, Rias."
"How can I be the King if I can't lead my peerage to victory? We can't rely on Izayoi-kun as we are right now—" Rias stops herself as she begin to think. "If our opponent cannot anticipate our move since we did not initiate any scouting and revealed ourselves to them in the thirty minutes given except the area announced. Then she must rethink or will she stick to the original plan? She must have since we have Izayoi-kun on our side."
"Rias,"
"Yes?" Rias looks at her Queen.
"How about we trust Izayoi-kun on initiating this battle in his own way. He might be able to surprise the opposing side." Akeno explained as Rias stared at her before she nods.
"It is of no reason I do not trust him but I can't seem to think what he is thinking."
"Then It's better that you don't have to worry much. From here, we just have to trust his judgement even if we have no use on using full power. Izayoi-kun knows that and I assumed that he partaking on this battle was for the sake of winning without any casualties." Akeno stated before smiling. "I too, cannot think what he's thinking. But that's just him. He's unpredictable."
[One of Sona Sitri-sama's Pawn, retired.]
Rias looks up at the announcement before she looks at Akeno.
"And it looks like his plan had started. We have apprehended the first kill of the battle."
"Yes, we do." Rias smiled in agreement. "Then let's hope that it'll stay that way. I'd think Izayoi-kun is in this for fun since he's bored that no one can best him."
"That's true. I mean, I want to see his best on the bed if I can." Akeno commented as Rias looks at her in surprise. "A girl has to have goals, right? That is one of my goals. What about you, Rias-buchou. Have you and him…?" At the last part, Akeno watches on in amusement towards Rias who blushed deeply and refused to meet her eye. "So you did it after all. How was it?" At that, Akeno admit this moment was perfectly amusing for her to be in.
Sitri Base
"Did you heard that?" Momo asked her fellow Bishop across from her right as they supported on erecting the barrier covering both of them and their Master.
"Yes, but who is it? Is it Ruruko or Saji?"
"I hope it's not Gen-chan!" Momo shouted in slight anxiety.
"Remain calm. It is only the beginning. Even if we're at a disadvantage, we can still prevail. No matter what, we'll win by using our all." Sona exclaimed standing in between the two as the two Bishop looked at their Master and nodded determinedly.
"Hai, Kaichou!"
"I like your tenacity, Sona-kaichou." A voice said as Sona looks up and her eyes narrows at the hooded blonde shouldering Durandal on his right shoulder. "Funny to say this, but I hope I did not interrupt your speech. It seems like you wanted to continue." A smirk could be seen under the hood as Sona stared at him.
"How did you get here? You can't possibly be here without passing through the parking lot." Momo said with a cold look.
"Elevator. That's what got me here." Izayoi simply replied. "Parking lot, huh? So, the others must be there. Am I right? That makes the job a lot easier now." He then lets down Durandal from his shoulder. "Anyway, it's hard to believe that you would be sheltering in a grocery store rather than be somewhere on your own."
"What do you mean, Izayoi-kun?"
"Don't play dumb. You're not even here with us. Rather, you're here but you're not at the same time." A glint of surprise was evidence in both the Bishop eyes, as they stared at the blonde and thought about how he had solved their ruse.
"How do you impose on knowing that?"
"Simple. With this!" Izayoi widely smirks before throwing Durandal in a straight angle towards the barrier in between them. The force emitting from the Holy sword was in the Third Velocity and it instantly pierces through the barrier along with Sona which phase through her before stabbed into the wall behind. The backlash of the shattered barrier sent both Momo and Reya backwards to clash upon the wall. Both winced at the pain engulfing their backs.
"You've figure it out. But how?" Sona asked before she whizzes like a hologram. "Only a few can know and sense something like this." She exclaimed as she narrows her eyes with a curious gaze.
"It seems I'm one of those few individuals that can." Izayoi steps forward to stand directly in front of Sona. "But you know what's funny?"
"What?" Sona asked before she watches the blonde adjusted her glasses but it failed to move.
He sent an amused smirk before he walked through her and retrieve Durandal, pulling it out from the wall with relatively ease. "You can handle everything from here, Kiba. I trust you're not disappointed since there aren't any Knight here." The blonde explained looking at the entrance of the grocery store and watches Kiba walked inside clutching his sword.
"This will do. Don't worry, Izayoi-taichou. I'll follow you in a moment so that I can fight the opposing Knight." Kiba nods graciously before the two blondes walked past each other.
"Tell Rias to go to the rooftop. Sona might be waiting for her there."
"How do you know?" Izayoi glances over his shoulder at the confused expression on Kiba's face.
"Instincts." He offered a last smile before he walked outside and briefly disappears with a burst of wind.
"All right. I'll send the message across." Kiba let out a smile at where his senior gone before he turns back to Momo and Reya standing back up. They staggered a bit before they turns to him. "May we start the battle?"
Parking Lot
"Tsubaki-fukukaichou, don't you think this has been gone on for too long? There hasn't been a single sign of our enemies in sight." Yura stated to the vice-president student council as she stood behind her while her comrade, Tomoe stood next to her. "I'm afraid they found out about our strategy."
"There hasn't been any confirmation. Though, I doubt that they would take this long to head towards the first floor." Tsubaki suspected before suspicion creep up on her. "Yura, Tomoe, are there any ways to head down to the first floor aside from the parking lot?"
"I concur. We have looked at the map multiple times to remember the layouts of the entire shopping mall. There can't be any openings our opponents can use except going through the parking lot to the first floor. Anyway, fukukaichou, you've been going to this mall a couple of times, correct?"
"They could use the elevators stationed in the second floor to head down to the first floor." Tomoe shrugs her shoulder absentmindedly. "But we've rigged some of them, right?"
"Not all of them." Tsubaki narrows her eyes. "There are four elevators stationed all around the shopping mall. Three of which are rigged, the other one…It's stationed in the parking lot."
"But they can't be that dumb enough to go through with using the elevator."
"But there are some who's brave enough to take it as a risk."
"Yura, I insist you go to help Saji. It seems he might need a helping hand." Without questioning how she knows, Yura nodded before she rushes exiting from the parking lot towards the second floor, leaving Tsubaki and Tomoe in the parking lot.
"Aren't you curious?" A voice questioned amusingly as Tsubaki turns around immediately followed by her junior to see Izayoi standing in front of them, shouldering Durandal. "Hm, seems like you caught on to help your comrade."
"How did you get to the first floor, Sakamaki-san?" Tsubaki asked.
"Elevator in the west side. I'm lazy to use the stairs. They're so convenient."
"But we've rigged that elevator since it's the closest." Tomoe said as the blond simply answers.
"Yeah, we've maneuver our way around that problem. Didn't think it was supposed to be going down until we crashed to our death." Izayoi shrugs his shoulders before he sends a smirk to their way. "So, when are we going to start? I'm inching to find some suitable matches for a fight. Likely, I'm testing your resolve to see if you can win." He explained. "Although I like to see fukukaichou's abilities in a sword fight. You're proficient with your naginata, right? Let's test if that's true."
"You can't insult her like that." Tomoe lightly glares at the blonde for his rudeness before she steps forward in response. But a hand blocked her way as Tomoe looks at Tsubaki stretching her hand in front of her, being the one blocking her advance. "Fukukaichou?" She questioned watching Tsubaki glancing at her for a second before she watches her senior step forward.
"I will take you up on your offer, Sakamaki-san."
"Alright. Ladies first." Izayoi offered a smile before a glint of light catches his eye and he immediately blocked the thrust assault to his chest with the blade of Durandal. Feeling the force behind the strike, the blonde pushes Tsubaki backwards. "Good thrust. Care to demonstrate more?" At his nonchalant offer, Tsubaki rushes to attack him again, deciding to jump before spinning in mid-air and collided her naginata against Durandal. "I can feel your resolve." He commented before he pushes her back to which Tsubaki landed on the ground gracefully. "Is that all you got? Come on! I've been inching for some actions!" Izayoi smirks before he dashes towards Tsubaki and clashes blades with her, surprising her at how much force he's giving her to defend herself against.
With much difficulty, Tsubaki pushes the blonde back before she jumps back and landed on the top of a car.
Jumping back, Tsubaki avoided a quick slash to her chest before she tried countering it with a slash aimed at the blonde's right arm but it evidently misses, much to her slight growing frustration. The Vice-President jumps back and forth, trying to regain her footing and distance from the blonde properly but the blonde had stubbornly shown to follow her around in seconds.
During the battle, the two combatants traded slashes upon slashes but only one took the blunt force of the battle much harder. Every time the blonde had taken to clash Durandal against Tsubaki's naginata, the latter had to pump all of her inner energy to not give in to the massive force that accompanied each of every clashes the blonde hits her blade. As the battle went longer, drops of sweat could be seen dripping over her forehead and neck but the blonde did not break a sweat whatsoever.
"If this battle keeps up, I do not think I'd have it in me to keep up with him any longer." Tsubaki inwardly said panting before she jumps back and lightly collided with the hood of a car with her legs. Not a moment too soon, she watches the blonde charging towards her and she lifted her free hand, aiming it at him. Activating her Sacred Gear, Mirror Alice, she watches as the blonde raises Durandal before a hand replaces the blade. Tsubaki watches in surprise as the blonde somersault forward using the mirror as leverage before cracking could be heard. She looks at her mirror before watching it shatters completely, much to her surprise.
"Don't let your guard down at any moment."
Tsubaki turns around before she engages in another slash and hack series with the blonde to which she sustained the injury that she received during their previous fight. As Tsubaki hop away from the blonde to stand in front of the same car, she panted as blood licks out from her hip, staining her school uniform and skirt. The Vice-President then stretches her hand forward while the other grips upon her naginata. Then, a magic circle appears over her outstretched hand and she shoots out bullets upon bullets of energy towards Izayoi, who blocked them with the big blade of Durandal.
From there, Tsubaki panted again and she tried to think of ways to overpower the blonde. But then, she decided against it since she knows it herself; the blonde in front of her was no ordinary opponent and was not to be underestimated. She knew it herself if she decided to overpower with her own abilities as of now. She'd never be able to best him.
But then, a thought entered her mind as she brushes against a certain vile in her pocket. Thinking to herself the percentage of success that the use of the vile might work was slim but she was willing to do it for her Master. Nodding in determination, Tsubaki adjusted her footing as she gazes at the blonde, noting the deep purple eyes within his hood.
"I can see why people are attracted to him at some point." Tsubaki thought admitting that his eyes are attractive as some of Kuoh Academy students had talked about. For a minute, the two stared at each other before Tsubaki sprinted forward with the intent to succeed while the blonde stood steady. Seeing as the blonde did not move on his spot, Tsubaki proceeded on grabbing the vile and throws its content towards him before she casted the spell.
"Reverse!"
Responding to the cast of the spell, Izayoi immediately lifted his left arm as he turns his body sideways so Durandal was not anywhere near within arm's distance. But just as the liquid touches his sleeve and hoodie, he felt a burning sensation from the touch. Immediately, his clothes started disintegrating and Tsubaki felt herself burn in embarrassment as she saw part of his exposed abs once the left side of his hoodie disintegrated. Realising what she saw, she quickly covers her face from looking.
"I didn't know you were a pervert, Tsubaki-fukukaichou."
"N-No! I'm not! Don't assume the wrong, Sakamaki-kun. I-I did not do it with such vulgar Intentions." Tsubaki stuttered as Izayoi smiled amusingly.
"Sure you do." Izayoi replied adding to Tsubaki's overall embarrassment. The blonde then watch as Tsubaki turns a glaring eye to him underneath the glasses.
Looking at the blonde who stood in front of her with a nonchalant expression proven by the smile hidden underneath his hood, she inwardly encouraged herself to hold her ground even longer. As she readies herself to prepare herself for the blonde, her eyes fixed themselves to the form of Tomoe sneaking herself behind the blonde. She then watches as she raises her sword above his head and swings it down.
"Take this!"
"Hm?" Izayoi glances behind before shards pieces of the katana in Tomoe's hand could be seen shattering behind him as the Sitri's Knight held a shocked expression.
"What?" She utters under her breath as she witness her katana shatters apart in front of her, the moment it touches the back of the blonde's head. Meanwhile, Tsubaki watches the events in mild surprise before she instantly shakes out of her stupor and charges towards the blonde up front. A white light glows around her naginata as Tsubaki charges her weapon before she thrust it forward with all her might.
"I will succeed in the name of Sona Sitri-sama!" The moment she thrust her naginata towards the blonde with the thought of winning, her eyes slowly watches with anticipation as her blade came in contact with the blonde's chest before it instantly shatters followed by the long handle. "…" Tsubaki stares in a daze as she looks at her non-existent naginata before looking down at the small pieces lying down beneath her feet.
Shaking her head, Tsubaki jumps back before she staggered for a bit and fell on her knees in exhaustion. Her mental was slightly slipping in.
"Fukukaichou!" Tomoe rushes to her aid and kneels down next to her before she supported her shoulder. "Hang in there!" She encouraged her senior before she watches her head hangs down. Suddenly, Tsubaki was engulfed in light as Tomoe watches her with large eyes.
"Thanks." Izayoi said as he kneels down in front of Tsubaki who looks up at him amidst her deteriorating vision. But she held on as she saw the blonde's face properly. "You have a strong resolve to win and it was true. Your skills with a naginata are true to the rumors." The blonde held a smile. "I had fun, believe it or not." At this, Tsubaki stares at Izayoi's smiling face before a small smile spreads across her own.
"Thank you..." She responded before her vision went white.
[Sona Sitri-sama's Queen, retired.]
Gremory Base
"Tsubaki-fukukaichou?" Saji asked in surprise at the announcement while Issei smiles widely.
"Is it Kiba?" He thought before shaking his head. "No, it's gotta be Izayoi-senpai." He nodded to himself.
"Tsubaki has left us." Akeno commented before a smile stretches across her cheeks. "I wonder who fought with her." She looks at her Master who met her eye to eye. Akeno watches a smile evident on her Master's face.
"We know who it is." As they talked, Xenovia and Asia along with Gasper listen in on them.
"This must be Izayoi-kun." Xenovia added as the two seniors looked at her.
"Go, Izayoi-senpai!" Asia cheered smiling as everyone joined her with their own smile including Gasper.
[One of Sona Sitri-sama's Bishop, retired.]
[One of Sona Sitri-sama's Bishop, retired.]
At the double announcement, everyone were surprised.
"Who do you think that is?"
"I think it's Kiba-dono." Xenovia nodded to herself as everyone nods in understanding.
East Side of Second Floor
"Argh! This again!" Issei exclaimed as he looks down at the connection line wrapping itself around his left wrist courtesy of Saji. He looks across from him before he tried breaking the line by pumping magic throughout his body but his efforts were not met. The brunette tried again and it was fruitless.
"It's no use, Hyoudou! You can't get rid of it even if you wanted to." Saji stated. "Do you know? We're similar, you and I. From head to toe, we're similar. When it comes to our lewdness, our earnestness towards our masters, our idiocy, and our tendency to plunge straight forward only." Saji explained to the brunette.
"We really are too similar. That's why I understood it right away. That you and I will fight today." Issei replied.
"I also trained. I spent almost all my summer vacation being chased by a dragon!"
"Sorry, Saji. I will beat you and advance forward. Winning today is what's most important for us."
"Is it? Winning today is what's most important for us too!" Saji exclaimed. "Your senior, Izayoi-senpai. He-He really knows everything, huh?"
"What do you mean?"
"He could tell our tactic from the start." At that moment, Rias who stood by the doorway of the restaurant looked at Akeno with mild surprise before the two turns to Saji for his explanation. "At first, we were about to finish off Gasper since Kaichou knows that his abilities were restricted in this battle. So we plan to lure him into our base."
"Your base—Grocery store, right?" Saji nods at the brunette.
"We plan to lure him in his bat form along with the other bats. If something happens to the bats, they'll revert back to Gasper's body. So we were tasked to lure the bats near—Garlic. With that, Gasper will be incapacitated." Saji explained.
"Izayoi-kun's right." Rias thought feeling a bit ashamed of herself to doubt her husband but she easily waves it off as she looks at Gasper next to Xenovia and Asia standing nearby, spectating the fight between the two.
"Anyway, why don't we resume our fight? It's still not done yet!" Saji smiled as Issei looks at him from across his spot.
"Issei, now!"
"Hai!" Issei shouted inwardly before his crystal in his gauntlet lit up in green glow which engulfed him. "Balance Breaker Boosted Gear, Scale Mail!" Issei shouted as he was engulfed in green light before he revealed himself, adorning the scale mail with dragon wings. "Yes! This is the moment I've been waiting for!" He thought in excitement as he powers up his Dragon Shot. "Thank you very much, Izayoi-senpai!" He thanked, recalling the conversation he shared with the blonde just before he left with Kiba.
Flashback…
"Oi, Issei."
"Yes?" Issei asked approaching Izayoi who stood by the doorway with Kiba.
"When it's time, be ready to charge up. I can tell you really need it without waiting for any time."
"What do you mean-?" Issei questioned before realisation came over him as the blonde smirks at his reaction.
"Don't be so slow to figure things out. As the Red Dragon Emperor, you sure are slow." Izayoi chuckles as Issei scratches the side of his head.
"Sorry."
"Charge up when it's time, you hear me?" Izayoi reminded before he left the restaurant with Kiba in tow.
Present
"And just about time too!" He thought before he disappears and reappears in front of Saji to punch him, shooting the Dragon Shot across to which hits him.
"Argh!" Saji flew backwards as smoke tendrils came out of his chest.
As Saji attempted to stand up, the brunette tried to put a burst of power to the connection line to destroy it but it was useless.
"What can I do to get this thing off?" He said to himself in frustration.
Meanwhile in the Parking Lot...
Watching her senior disappears into a burst of white scattering light, Tomoe's eyes linger for a while before she stands up and faces the blonde. Angry tears swell at the corner of her eyes before she takes a deep breath. She then takes a fighting stance with her fists outstretched. Suddenly, her eyes were fixed at Durandal's handle outstretched towards her.
"What are you doing?"
"You're a Knight, right? As far as I know, Knight always have to wield a sword. Since you don't have one, I'm guessing you need one."
"But I can't,"
"I'm giving you a chance of a lifetime. It is Durandal. A Holy Sword. Why don't you want to use it?" Izayoi persuaded as Tomoe looks at him before looking down at Durandal's handle.
Reaching out her right hand, she slowly grasp the handle and she was startled by a shake made by the sword. She tried jerking away since it scares her but she watches the blonde gripped onto the handle tightly and she looks at the sword that did not shake anymore. Confused, she looks at the blonde.
"Don't think about it much, it's just a little bit angry. But now, it's calmed down." He explained. "I'm going to let go, okay?"
Tomoe slowly nodded before the blonde pulls back his hand from the handle and stood still as she grasp the handle with her other hand, feeling the heavy weight of the sword. "He carries this? I can't imagine how he can fight against Tsubaki-fukukaichou with this heavy thing." She thought in surprise before gripping the sword tightly and looked up at the blonde who steps back with his arms in surrender. When he managed to stand by a good distance, he lets down his hands and urges her to come forth with his right hand, pressuring her to make the first move.
Narrowing her eyes, Tomoe charges with Durandal by her side. Once she nears the blonde, she tried swinging sideways as Izayoi tried blocking it with his hands but catches her movement changed as she jumps and kicks his hand with two feet. Rebounding from his hand, Tomoe flips backwards and throws Durandal as it spins like a windmill towards the blonde.
"Interesting." Izayoi replied before he grabs Durandal by the handle and throws it back.
"Huh?" Tomoe gasped before she ducks her head as Durandal came slicing at two strands of her bangs before it stabs into the supporting pillar behind. "That's…" She uttered as she landed in a crouching position. "Fast." She then stands up to retrieve Durandal and pulls it out from the pillar with some difficulty.
Panting at the heavy Holy Sword, Tomoe pointed the sword towards Izayoi. Taking a deep breath of concentration, she immediately charges ahead.
"Conserve your energy. You don't want to swing the first time with so much wasted energy, do you?" The blonde explained in a taunting tone but the girl knew well that he was teaching her.
With his words in mind, Tomoe swings at the blonde before stopping mid-swing and swings down. At the show, the blonde lifted his hand to stop the swing to which it does. But the action causes Tomoe to stare at the spot where she slashes at him, unscathed. Breaking out of her shock, she immediately jumps back and slashes right away at him. Tomoe watches in calculative as she waited a good distance from the blonde before she swings to attack. Swing after swing the Siti Knight attempted to make him bleed but the blonde either dodged, blocked or sway the blade from its course. If he blocked, Tomoe watched him uses his hands and catches the blade with digits securing it in place before swiftly letting it go, disrupting her flow of assault. It goes the same if he sways, the blonde will push the blade whenever it nears him to the side with his knuckles. But the one thing she was annoyed at was him dodging, it frustrate her to no end as she witness him dodging her attacks with ease.
As time passes and each swing were initiated, she was beginning to be fatigue and each swing started getting harder to swing. After a while, Tomoe stopped to stand across Izayoi and she panted as drops of sweat started falling down her chin. Her breath ragged, the girl attempted running towards to finish him off with a last swing since she could feel her consciousness slip in and out. Taking to jump in the air, she raises Durandal and swings it downwards with all her remaining strength. But as it was expected, the blonde grip upon the edge of the blade with his right hand and that finally took her off; falling down on the ground. But she was captured by an arm securing her before she kneels down on the ground.
The Sitri Knight looks up and was greeted by a smile by the blonde as Durandal lay down on the ground next to them. A pat of her head made her aware of the comforting action of the blonde before the light took her in. "You did well for a first-year, Tomoe." At the compliment, she cannot help but smile widely at him as her respond and then the blonde faded away by the light.
[One of Sona Sitri-sama's Knight, retired.]
Looking at where the girl left, Izayoi grabs Durandal off the ground and look on at the direction where the second floor was located. Stretching his hand to reach his hood, he pulls it downwards as he smiles. "They have potential. It's a good thing I found a way to have fun in this Rating Game…"
First Floor
Sitri Base
"Hm?" Kiba catches something at where the Bishop, Momo disappears and he walked towards it, seeing a connection line connected to a square pact filled with red—blood.
At the realisation of what the thing is, Kiba looks at the second floor before he quickly dashes towards his comrade in need.
"This is bad."
Second Floor
Gremory Base
"Ugh, why do I feel weak?" Issei asked himself feeling something inside which was strange as he kept battling Saji who held bruises all over his body. "Is he really sucking my powers?" He questioned inwardly at Saji who stood waiting for their fight. "I thought he has low magic like me but how could he perform powerful magic that always leave a finishing blow?" He questioned before realising the connection line attached to his chest—his heart.
"Saji! Are you converting your own life-force…into magic power!?" Issei asked. "The reason for his continuous attacks was his life force all along?!"
"That's right. With my low magic, this is the only way for me to shoot powerful attacks. I convert my life-force into magic power using my Sacred Gear's ability. It's just as you see. I'm risking my life."
"Do you really intend to die…!?"
Saji—smiled with a serious look.
"Yeah, I intend to die. I intend to beat you with the intention of dying. Do-Do you 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!" He shouted to the surprised brunette. "I will surpass you, Issei Hyoudou!"
Meanwhile, Issei looks at him, noting his face was swollen and his left eye completely shut. The brunette clenches his fist, thinking that he should respond to his friend to stop. But as his words swarmed through his mind, he can't help but attempt to encourage him.
"Then! Come on! Come, Saji! You won't let it end here, right!? You don't intend to let it end like this, right!? Weren't you going to do the things that aren't possible for idiots like us and run forward?!"
"You also trained desperately, right? I trained desperately as well." Saji said his gaze never shifting as it fixes itself on Issei.
"Saji…I'm going to beat you."
"Let's see if you can try, Hyoudou." Saji brushes his redden lips from the red liquid staining it before he readies his fist just as Issei with his own. "I…will surpass you, no matter what the cost is!" At the moment he said it, he charges forward with his right fist as Issei advances forward with his left.
"Argh!"
"Hah!"
Both fists made their way to each of their face as Issei and Saji blasted backwards from the force to the ground.
"That's some serious punch." Issei commented, feeling rattled by the punch. The brunette then looks up from his lying position to see Saji trying to stand up. Gritting his teeth, the brunette tried to stand up as well. But halfway there, he immediately staggered much to his confusion. "Wh-What's happening to me?"
"Issei!" Kiba shouted as he arrived to the scene and throws a holy demonic dagger and cut the connection line between them. Just as he did, he turns to his Master in the process, who in turns look at him with a curious eye. "Rias-buchou, Sona-sama is at the rooftop!" At this, Rias nods and quickly rushes out before growing a pair of devil wings and ascended towards the door leading to the rooftop.
"What?" Issei asked seeing red liquid—blood spilling out from the line. "Is that my blood…?" He asked out of shock before looking up at the grinning Saji.
"Yeah, hard to believe it right? Well, it's the truth. Now I'll be taking you with me, Red Dragon Emperor!" Saji crouches with his knees bent and powers up an energy ball in his hands.
"Damn it! I fell into his trap!" Issei felt ashamed of himself at the obvious mistake but the brunette did not want to submit defeat yet. Looking up, he tried standing up still with much difficulty as he loss a lot of blood in the process of their battle. "I lost a lot of blood…I don't think I can think straight…But I have to—beat him! In order to beat him, I have to beat Saji!" He vowed before he started powering up his Dragon Shot one last time.
The two opponents made eye contact before they both charges forward and thrust their attacks forward.
"Saji!"
"Issei!"
The moment they clash, a loud explosion resounded throughout the mall as smoke covered the area.
Rooftop
"Huh?" Rias questioned as she heard the commotion before taking to look at the individual waiting for her up front. She approaches the figure before standing in wait as the figure turns around—Sona who looked at her arrival.
"I did not expect this to be turnover right from the start." Sona explained to Rias. "I only planned to incapacitate a few of you until our battle, Rias. Unfortunately, it backfires. And I expected this to be Izayoi-kun's scheme?"
"Yes, it is. He'd plan this right from the start."
"But how can he predict what will happen?"
"You and I, knows that Izayoi-kun can be a strategist just as us." Rias smiled as Sona frowned. "He only thought about a simple strategy within this game based on the rules and he'd predicted your move. Might I say, reducing your numbers with little numbers of mine is not one I would partaking to move, but it had served its purpose as decoys simultaneously be the fighting force of our group." She explained professionally.
"I must say, Izayoi-kun. You're turning out smarter than you're bargained for." Sona thought much to her amusement. "I guess this will be the final battle for both of us." Sona said to Rias who smiles at her.
Suddenly, an aura of water gathered around Sona, and gradually formed something. This was no ordinary amount of water. Looking at it, the water seemed be collected from everywhere within the department store.
Without hesitation, Rias started firing magic bullets at her friend. The number of bullets was endless like that of a machine gun.
The bullets were only about the size of a softball, but feel behind the magic was of high purity in each shot. Everyone watches the seemingly results of their Master coming out.
In response to the attack, Sona manipulated the water and made it into a wall, stopping Rias's attacks. The instant that Rias's magic hit, the water was also annihilated at the same time, but because she was gathering it from the entire building, it was unlimited.
"Now then, Rias. I shall thoroughly display my water techniques to you." Sona stated as she transformed a large amount of the water with magic, turning it into many hawks that flew in the air, serpents that slithered on the ground, valiant lions, wolves that herded together, and several huge dragons as well.
"Just as I wished for, Sona!"
Smiling fearlessly, Rias piled compression upon compression of her power of destruction and made a countless number of magic bullets in the air. Those without enough power would vanish from just one of those shots. To have condensed that many of them, it showed Rias how she had built up her magic power fairly well in her training.
Both excelled in the quality of their magic, with Rias stood out in power while Sona stood out in technique.
Both of them stood ready as they stare it off. Then, the two of them—unleashed their attacks at each other at the same time.
Second Floor
Everyone who was in the vicinity watches as the smoke cleared before seeing Issei lying in front of Saji lying across from him. The scale mail that Issei adorned moments ago had shattered from the clash and he was lying with tattered clothes along with Saji.
"Who won?" Issei asked in between panting as he and Saji were engulfed in light.
"Issei-san!" Asia run towards him and kneels down next to him. "I'll heal you!"
"It's no use, Asia-chan. You can't heal this problem. I'm sorry. I'm so stupid…"
"Having a girl next to you when you're acting like your dying…Damn you, Hyoudou…" Saji let out a small smile. "About who won…I won."
"No, I won."
"The one who stands up will win…" Saji suggested before he and Issei tried to stand up but failed to. "I guess both of us can't move. This is turning out not what I wanted…"
"Huh…Me too…"
"Meet you later?"
"Yeah…Hey, are we still friends?" At the question, Saji can't help but smile and tears were evident on the corners of his eyes.
"Are you kidding me? Of course we are…" Just as he finishes, Saji disappears before Issei started to.
"I'm glad…to hear it." Issei mutters before disappearing as Asia looks on sadly.
[One of Sona Sitri-sama's Pawns, retired.]
[One of Rias Gremory-sama's Pawn, retired.]
"Issei-san…" Asia mutters with a frown kneeling on the ground still, unaware of the person running towards her from her left.
"Asia!" Xenovia shouted as Asia looked up to her left and watches Yura charging towards her with her sword at the ready. The blonde held up her hands as she await for the strike to hit her but a shout voiced out nearby.
"Kiba!" At the mention of his name, Kiba look up and watches Durandal soared through the air towards Yura. Nodding to himself at the sign, he charges forward as he glances at Xenovia who nods.
A small tear in space appeared behind Kiba as Xenovia was making it form. Then, Durandal's aura flowed into blonde haired Knight.
"Now then, Xenovia. I'll show it to you. This technique created by you and me, Rias Gremory's two [Knights]!" Kiba thought before he sprinted forth towards Yura.
As the blonde charged towards her, Yura continued onwards to clash blades with him before Durandal came down and stabbed itself in front of her, stopping her. By the time she realised, she looked up at Kiba stabbing his sword into the ground.
Zazazazan!
Holy demonic swords sprang up everywhere within the cemented tiles. The holy demonic aura that covered them might have been little. But, if Durandal's aura is also added to them, it's another story entirely.
"—Durandal Birth!"
"Ah!" Yura shouted flying into the skies by the numerous holy demonic swords striking at her along with her clothes being shredded at various parts of her body. Her body lights up before she disappears seconds until she hit the ground.
"How was it?" A voice asked as Kiba looked up at his blonde senior standing in front of where Yura disappeared.
"It's one of many new experiences, I believe." Kiba smiled before he grabs Durandal by the hilt and throws it towards Izayoi who clutches it in his hand before sweeping it across the countless holy demonic swords, destroying them in one slash and causing a burst of magic dust to gather in the air and carried by the wind of the slash. Shouldering Durandal on his shoulder, Izayoi looks at everyone.
[Resign confirmed. It is the victory of Rias Gremory-sama.]
Everyone looked up after hearing the announcement and Asia allowed herself to smile brightly along with everyone.
Izayoi turns around as he saw his wife walking down along the tiles towards him before she stood in front of him.
With a smile, Rias spoke.
"We won."
VIP Room
"So this is the Hero of the Underworld…" Odin stated as Azazel looks at sideways. "Arrogant but generous. Powerful but deadly. Does he always give such chances?"
"What, pity?" Azazel asked, amused. "No, I think he did it just because it would make the whole situation fun. He said so himself. With someone as strong as him, there aren't any fun if you fought weaklings. But he's different from most."
"Yeah, for his own amusement." Odin added. "But I like that attitude of him."
"Really?" Odin nods once. "What makes you say that?" Odin glances at him with an amused glint.
"I don't think I should answer if you knew the answer already."
"Honestly, I'm still sceptic to answer. But to put it bluntly, he's an enigma."
"Enigma? Hm, yes. I agree to that choice of word."
"Enigma? Why? Izayoi-kun's kind, caring, and strong. Why is he an enigma?" Serafall asked standing next to Azazel looking curiously at the two.
"It's just our opinions." Azazel replied to her as Serafall's eyebrow rose. "It doesn't offend you, right? But as far as we've seen, he's unpredictable hence the word, enigma." He explained. "He'll do where no one cannot do. He will be unpredictable where the situation is predictable to peers. I, myself is quite surprised that he would give his opponent a chance to wield Durandal and managed to control it to fit Sona Sitri's Knight which enabled her to fight on. If there were anyone but him, they would just finish her off with the blade." He nods in explanation as Serafall nods in acknowledgment before she stares at the blonde in the hologram screen displayed in front of her and the others.
"Well, he's the man I love. I expect nothing better from him." She announced boldly with a warm smile as Azazel kindly smile in amusement followed by Odin. After a while, Azazel turns to Odin as the screen turns to both Issei and Saji in their face off.
"How do you think about them?"
"Hm, the user who has the dragon Sacred Gear."
"You mean, the Red Dragon Emperor?"
"No, the Pawn of the Sitri family." Odin answered. "What a good devil. You should take good care of that one. He'll become strong. The achievement of beating the Sekiryuutei kid is huge. Watching the Rating Games of devils is fun because of this. The weak change in the middle of a match. This is what a true match is."
"That's right! Odin-ojii-chan really understands things, after all." Serafall nodded at his words, feeling cheery for her little sister's group and happy that the fact her sister's servant, Saji Genshirou, was complimented. It made her swell up in happiness at the prospect of her sister's achievement so far, even though she would always be happy for her personally.
"Adding to that gaki, the Rating Game would be much more fun to watch now. I can't wait till he faces off against that Sairorg kid, the ratings will skyrocketed exponentially."
"Really? I'd think him against the God of Mischief would attract more attention. Although, if we can get any footage of it."
"I think Sirzechs can help you with that. He and his friend, Beelzebub are rather involved in that sort of topic."
"What footage?" Serafall asked. "Is it when Izayoi-kun went against that evil God? I wanna see it!"
"You'll get your chance when I have a little talk with Sirzechs."
"No, I wanna talk to him first." Serafall let out a light glare to which Azazel smile awkwardly before nodding to her request. "Sirzechs-chan will not keep any secrets hidden from me that is anything related to Izayoi-kun."
"But do you think you'll ready to put with him?" Odin asked with a smirk as Serafall turns to him. "He has undergo an interesting transformation. I fear that you will change your view of what he is right now."
"Then don't." Serafall frowned. "Izayoi-kun will always be him. There isn't anything that will change him as he is right now. No interesting transformation will change him." Serafall stated without hesitation, knowing that the blonde she met the first time was the same as the blonde she had fallen in love now.
"…Alright. As you say." As Odin finishes, Serafall did not have any doubts that plagued her mind about the blonde.
To Be Continued…
Okay, folks. That is all of the new chapter. I hope you find it satisfactory and wish that all of you Review, Favorite and Follow this story since it will be a long journey before I finished this. A Long Journey.
Anyway, how do you think about the Rating Game between Rias Gremory against Sona Sitri? Leave a Review about it below. Do you have questions you want to ask about the chapter? If so, PM me. If you have questions related to previous chapters, feel free to PM me as well. I don't care.
So, I will see all of you soon, alright? Stay tuned for the next chapter. What will happen?
Ja'ne! ArtLotus out!