"" - Talking
'' - Thinking
[] - Dragon
{} - Intercom
The large screen showed the Occult clubroom and Rias' peerage as Grayfia spoke through the PA system of the school
{Hello everyone, I am Grayfia, a maid from the Gremory household. Today I will be the arbiter of the Rating match 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 Raiser-sama's opinion we created this battlefield. The battlefield for this match is a replica of the school Rias-sama attends to, the "Kuou Academy".}
Merlin found it surprising and interesting that the battlefield for the match would be the school, the details seemed to be identical to the original as he figured that it would give Rias a bit more of an advantage against Raiser's superior numbers. Part of him hoped the time he'd bought for her would be enough as Grayfia continued with her explanation
{The location where both teams were transported will be their base. Rias-sama's base would be the Occult research club room located in the old school building. Raiser-sama's base would be the student council's room located in the new building. For the "Pawns" to use "promotion", please go to the enemy's base.}
Merlin realised that Issei would have to travel quite a way to fight at Queen piece's strength but with his Boosted Gear he'd get stronger every ten seconds, while a small part of him enjoyed the idea of fighting without any limits in such a place.
"Amazing…" Saeko whispered, Merlin gaining a small smile as he glanced to the purple haired knight for a moment before reaffixing his gaze onto the screen.
From the plans that the two Kings set out, Merlin could tell that Raiser wasn't as serious about this as Rias was although that was probably due to his superior numbers of servants and his arrogance about his own abilities.
[This seems like a David and Goliath match, young warlock] Tiamat spoke up as Merlin mentally agreed, it would be a hard time for the Gremory group depending mostly on how much they grew during there training trip.
He'd sparred with a few of Raiser's servants and he still remembered the amount of running he had to do to avoid the blonde's Queen's explosive magic and even when he managed a counterattack she would just blow his attack up. A small shudder ran down his spine at that moment at remembering the sparring match.
[Looks like the first clash is starting] Tiamat spoke up, Merlin looking up to see Issei and Koneko entering the gym, the screen switching to show the quarter of Raiser's servants inside already. They were Miya, Ile and Nel, three of Raiser's Pawns, and Xuelan, one of his Rooks waiting there ready to face against the pair.
"We know you are there, servants of Gremory! We saw you coming inside" Xuelan called out, Issei and Koneko coming out from there hiding position, the former activating his Boosted Gear as the silver haired Rook spoke
"...Ise-senpai. I will leave the "Pawn" to you. I will take care of the "Rook"." Issei stood ready in front of his opponents, Xuelan adopting a fighting stance in front of Koneko before Issei's eyes widened at the sight of the two green haired pawns wielding chainsaws.
"Didn't expect that to be used as a weapon" Saeko spoke quietly to herself, Merlin sweatdropping at how close the girl's attacks came to hitting the Gremory Pawn as Tiamat chuckled in his mind
[Ddraig seems to have a weak host]
'Yeah…At least Koneko's holding her own against Xuelan' Merlin thought trying to see the bright side of the current fight, Issei's second boost signalling that he was finding it easier to dodge attacks from the trio which seemed to only aggravate the twins.
Issei turned to face them on the call of his third boost, as he spoke up "Let's do it, my Sacred Gear-kun!"
The red gauntlet responded with a call of [Explosion] before Issei turned onto the offensive punching both twins with his new burst of speed before breaking Miya's pole.
Koneko had seemed to outwit her opponent who was now on the floor covered in bruises and injuries as Nel picked herself back up as she spoke annoyed "Geez! If we lose to a guy like him, Raiser-sama will get mad at us!"
"We will definitely cut you into pieces!" Her sister spoke, both turning on their chainsaws again while Issei seemed to be planning something as he stood there with a perverted grin on his face as he spoke
"Take this! My new ultimate technique! Dress Break!" Clicking his fingers, Merlin looked shocked at what the Gremory Pawn had just done, stripping his opponents of there clothes. Merlin's cheeks reddened before he covered his eyes with a hand for there modesty, shaking his head as he thought angrily
'Typical…and here I thought he'd be serious during this battle' Tiamat was laughing at how Ddraig would react to the technique as they both felt an angry yet scared aura off of the other girls in the room as he spoke
"That pervert is going to get it later…"
"What do you have in mind?" Saeko asked calmly, Merlin looking to her to see her serious look aimed at the screen, glancing as the whole gym exploded thanks to Akeno's magic.
"I'll get back to you on that" Merlin spoke, not aware of the looks he was getting before another explosion roared out from the screen, the smoke clearing to show Koneko burnt and battered by the explosion as Yubelluna flew above the pair.
"Take this" Yubelluna spoke, Merlin's eyes focusing so he didn't miss learning anything about Raiser's Queen's magic which he could use for himself, there spar had been informative but he hadn't had much chance to have his full attention on her with all the dodging and blocking he'd had to do.
When Koneko disappeared an odd feeling came over half of the room, mostly from Sona's peerage even though the first year would be fine having been transported to a hospital to recover as Grayfia announced it
{Rias Gremory-sama's "Rook" defeated.}
Issei shook in anger as he stood, turning to Yubelluna as he shouted "Come down here! I'll be your opponent!"
Merlin eyes narrowed as he thought 'The idiot's forgetting about the long game…'
[You would do the same thing in his position] Tiamat spoke up knowingly as Merlin mentally replied
'No…I'd have attacked already...'
"Fufufu. What a noisy "Pawn" boy. Do you want to explode like that girl from before?" Yubelluna asked, mockingly as she looked down at him, pointing her hand at the Pawn before Akeno came between them
"Ara ara. I will be your opponent. Raiser Phenex-sama's "Queen", Yubelluna-san. Or should I call you "Bomb Queen"?" She spoke, her wings out as she looked seriously at her opposite piece
"I don't like that name because of its bad taste, "Lightning Priestess". I wanted to fight you." Yubelluna spoke as she looked annoyed at the mention of the nickname
"Ise-kun, meet up with Yuuto-kun. I will take care of here." Akeno spoke as the brunette tried to protest
"B...but!" Akeno cut him off as she spoke up with a serious face
"Ise-kun. You have your own role. Go. This is my job." Akeno smiling to him as she added
"It's okay. I will avenge Koneko-chan. I will defeat this "Queen" with everything I have!" A golden aura started to surround Akeno's body as she started to build up her magical power.
"Akeno-san! I will leave it to you!" Issei called before heading over to the sports field to meet up with Kiba, the brunette being 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.
…
Saeko smiled as she watched Kiba take out his three Pawn opponents, the whole idea of Rating Games appealed to a dark part of her which she could easily lose herself to in one of these games. She glanced over to Merlin to see an approving smile on his face, the devil mage approving of Kiba's strategy to handle his opponents.
Grayfia announced the recent losses throughout the battlefield to keep both Kings up to date
{Raiser Phenex-sama's 3 "Pawns" retire}
Issei appeared running towards the sports court, looking around for his ally who easily crept up behind him and grabbed a hold of his arm, the brunette turning ready to attack before stopping as he spoke "Oh, it's you."
"Yup" Kiba replied with his usual refreshing smile before they both moved to a spot behind the storage room which a blind spot from the court both boys crouching down as they chatted
"Sorry, Kiba. Koneko-chan..." Isseis started only to be interrupted by Kiba shaking his head as he spoke
"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 a trap in the forest."
"...Let's win." Issei spoke with a serious nod
"Of course, Ise-kun." Kiba replied before they bumped fists, it was surprising to see them acting like friends on the battlefield given the active dislike that Issei showed during school which made Saeko smile at there's antics, being enemies at this moment wouldn't help there odds.
"Also was it you who defeated the enemy's "Pawns"?" Issei asked, Kiba nodded at his question as he answered
"Yeah. The club room located in the sports club is an important location. So it's 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 Raiser 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 1 "Knight", 1 "Rook", and 1 "Bishop". Total of 3 pieces." Kiba added as Issei's jaw dropped for a moment in surprise as 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
Most of the spectators knew what Rias had done when she destroyed the gym, which was one of the routes to the Council room and so Raiser reacted by putting more defence with the remaining path. It would mean that her servants would have to fight all of Raiser's servants instead of slipping by them, meaning that they would be more tired by the time they got to Raiser, but it would save them from getting ambushed or flanked.
The screen switched to show Carlamaine walking out onto the baseball court, Isabella and Ravel sighing 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 Raiser Phenex-sama, Carlamaine! 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 walking out of there hiding place to meet with her
"I'm the "Knight" of Rias Gremory, Kiba Yuuto." Kiba announced, Issei stopping next to him as he added
"I'm the "Pawn", Hyoudou Issei!" Carlamaine 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."
Carlamaine drew her sword out from her sheath; Kiba getting ready to draw his sword out as well as he spoke
"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"." Carlamaine replied as she started to cut as if she was dancing.
The pair of Knights' swords clashing and releasing sparks as they moved so they could barely be seen, only reappearing when they clashed while Issei stood there like an idiot watching them until Isabella and Ravel made themselves known.
"You seem bored." Isabella spoke, cracking her knuckles ready as Ravel started to complain
"Geez. She only thinks about swords, swords and swords. Their match looks like a mud fight. Carlamaine 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 also a sword freak. Geez, what bad luck."
She 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 gentleman?"
He soon slipped into a fighting stance as he looked angrily at the pair as he spoke "Boosted Gear standby!"
[Boost!] His Gauntlet called starting to double his power as Ravel sighed before speaking
"I'm not going to be your opponent. Isabella. Why don't you be his opponent?"
Isabella nodded as she moved forward, Ravel moving back to give them 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 putting 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
"She is... No, that person is Ravel Phenex. Raiser-sama's little sister. She became Raiser-sama's servant by using a special method, but she is Raiser-sama's actual sister." Isabella explained, Issei's face turning shocked, Ravel smiling as she waved at him
"Well according to Raiser-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 also get jealous about it? Well, I'm not a sister-moe type, so I have her in my group as fashion.] That's what he said."
Isabella continued slipping into a fighting stance before adding
"Now, here I come! Rias Gremory's "Pawn"!"
Merlin saw the speed that she'd used against him during there spar, he'd only had time for quick spells considering she moved faster then he'd expected from a Rook, being that there weakness was being slow.
Issei barely dodging her punches and kicks on instinct before she sped up even more, the Pawn having to endure it as he waited for his Boosts to 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
"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 seemed to be remembering something as he stood there, 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 in Rias Gremory-sama's group. But still I will defeat you!" Issei spoke seriously as he looked at the mask wearing Rook.
Both turned as Carlamaine cut through Kiba's sword, smirking as she spoke "Unfortunately, your Sacred Gear won't work on me."
Her sword was covered in flame but Kiba didn't seem bothered, and instead made a smirk as he spoke "Then I will also tell you this. Unfortunately, this isn't everything of my Sacred Gear."
"What? Nonsense. "Knight" of Gremory. It's unsightly for a knight to..." Carlamaine spoke up annoyed as Kiba simply spoke one word
"...Freeze."
His sword started to change before settling as a blade of ice which he held in front of himself as he spoke "In front of this sword, "Flame Delete", all types of fire will disappear."
Everyone except Kiba had a shocked expression on the battlefield, Merlin curious at what the blonde Knight's Sacred Gear could actually do as Carlamaine spoke up shocked "A...absurd! Are you telling me that you have two Sacred Gears!?"
She swung her flame sword to the side with an impatient look before moving to attack only for her sword to start freezing over as soon as it touched Kiba's, forcing her to throw away her sword before pulling the short sword on her hip, putting her sword up as she shouted "We are the members of the all mighty house of Phenex, who rule over fire and wind! Taste it! The whirlwind of fire!"
There was a wind of fire around the baseball court with Carlamaine and Kiba in the middle of it.
"That Carlamaine! Has she forgotten that her allies are here as well!?" Isabella commented, while using her arm to guard her face. Kiba's ice sword started to melt after receiving the wind of fire. Even so Kiba still didn't seem to be bothered as he spoke
"I see... You are trying to burn us with the whirlwind of fire...But." Kiba put his blade-less sword in front of him. He then said with a strong voice,
"...Stop."
The wind was getting sucked into Kiba's sword while making a large noise. The wind stopped, and the baseball ground became silent as he spoke "..."Replenish Calm". It's been a while since I last showed more than two demonic swords for one battle."
There was a unique looking blade in Kiba's sword which had a mysterious whirlwind in the middle of the blade.
"...Multiple Sacred Gear. Are you a Sacred Gear possessor who takes the weapons of other Sacred Gear users and makes it their own?" Kiba shook his head at Carlamaine's question before answering.
"I don't have multiple Sacred Gears. I also don't take the Sacred Gears of others and make them my own. I created it."
"Created...it?" She asked shocked
"Yes. "Sword Birth". I can make any demonic swords. That is the name of my Sacred Gear and its true ability." He spoke, putting his hand downwards before sword of different styles and shapes appeared from out of the ground.
[Boost!] Issei's Boosted Gear called out signalling another double of his power as he smirked before calling out
"Boosted Gear! Explode!"
[Explosion!] Issei started to move his arms across before putting them together, in front of him before shouting out a name of his attack
"Dragon shot" A block of magical energy shot out from his hands, forcing him back because of the power inside it. His attack was huge, about five times taller then Issei himself as it shot towards Isabella who seemed ready to take the attack until Carlamaine shouted
"Isabella! Don't take it! Dodge!" Isabella changing her tactic as she moved to evade the attack, just dodging it as the block of magic exploded on the tennis courts, the backlash from the attack blasting wind back at them.
"Isabella! Defeat that "Pawn"! That boy! That Sacred Gear has the power to change the outcome of the battle!" Carlamaine shouted, Isabella locked-on at Issei before speaking seriously
"Affirmative! Boosted Gear! It will become a big threat if we allow him to use "promotion"! I will take him down before that happens!" Isabella quickly closed the distance between them as she threw punches and kicks at him before getting hit by a left punch from Issei, flying from the blow even thought she had guarded against it as Issei smirked before clicking his fingers as he spoke
"Burst! Dress Break!" Isabella's clothes were quickly blown away, Merlin sighing annoyed again before a dark smirk appeared on his face as he came up with what he would do to the perverted Dragon.
"Wha! What is this!?" Isabella asked shocked as she covered her private parts.
"Go!" Issei shouted, launching another Dragon Shot at the Rook
"Ku! With a move like this!" Isabella spoke annoyed before the big shock-wave spread throughout the area. When it calmed down, Isabella was on the ground started to get covered with light, fading away before disappeared from this place.
[Reset] The effect of Boosted Gear ran out from that last attack before Grayfia declared.
{Raiser Phenex-sama's "Rook" retires.}
"Hell yeaaaaaah!" Issei shouted victoriously.
…
Author's Notes
This chapter was done mostly with the help of baka-tsuki's visual novel translation, although had a few problems with where and when I include bits as they watch on. Originally I wasn't planning to have Saeko get a Sacred Gear sword but I might take some time to come up with something good unless I decide to go with one of suggestions from a Guest reviews, as for MacGregor he'll be training Merlin some point later on probably around the time of the Young Devil Games. Merlin will also be putting Issei into his place in the next chapter as before he helps Issei for his fight with Raiser.
Hope you enjoy.