Two Days Later: Lilith, Underworld:
"…This is way too stiff for me." Rias and Akeno giggled as I spoke, Koneko, Sirzechs, Zeoticus, Venelana and Grayfia looking amused as Millicas looked out the window at all the people we passed.
We were all driving in the back of a limousine towards the Lilith Underworld Ceremonial Hall for me to finally be inaugurated as a High-Class Devil and a vassal of House Gremory. Around us were several cars escorting us to the hall, all of them black SUV's with several Devils inside them as our guards. Venelana had made sure everyone was dressed in the best formal dress/ tuxedo they had that was the colours crimson or black. Even Millicas was dressed in a black tuxedo with his hair gelled back and a black bow tie on.
"Unfortunately, this is your life from now on, Isaiah. As a vassal of both House Gremory and its heir, you are to always portray yourself as the proper noble you are." Venelana said from where she was seated next to Zeoticus and he just chuckled as I sighed and nodded.
"Regrettably, I came to the same conclusion when I received my pieces, Lady Gremory. Looks like this is the end of Isaiah the boy and the birth of Isaiah Azathoth the Baron, I suppose?" I said with smile and Venelana had a proud smile as she nodded.
A few minutes later, we stopped, waiting for a minute or so before the door was opened by the chauffeur. Sirzechs, Millicas and Grayfia were the first to climb out, followed by Zeoticus and Venelana and finally Rias, Akeno, Koneko and I.
"…Is this the norm for reincarnated Devils being promoted?" I asked with a raised eyebrow as we all walked towards the hall, numerous reporters and camera crews being kept back by the security guards as they kept asking me questions.
"When you're the youngest reincarnated Devil being promoted to a High-Class Devil and the newest Devil prodigy in the Underworld, Devils tend to be very focused on what you do." Rias said with a bright smile and I just shook as I kept walking, not stopping to talk to anyone as per Zeoticus' orders as we walked up the stairs before the butlers opened the doors with all of us walking in.
If I thought there were many people outside, then the inside was packed as I saw the amount of Devils sitting/ standing in the hall.
The hall was more like a grand theatre as the lower-class Devils and the minor noble Devils sat in the seats on the ground while the higher ranked Devils sat in the cubicles above ground with the members of House Bael sat in a VIP cubicle that was dead centre in the middle between all of them and Zekram Bael sitting in a throne on a pedestal above the other members of House Bael.
As soon as everyone on the ground heard the doors open, they all turned before a monstrous echo resonated throughout the theatre as they cheered, Devils standing up and clapping as we walked past them with me smiling and waving at them or so Venelana told me to do since that would make me even more popular amongst the lower class Devils.
"This is where we part ways. Rias, Isaiah, good luck." Sirzechs said as we walked closer to the stage, with me nodding confidently and Rias nodding a bit hesitantly as Akeno quickly gave me a peck on the cheek before they teleported up to the cubicle for House Gremory.
"Come. You've rehearsed your words so many times yesterday. Just pretend it's just me, Akeno and you in your room." I whispered to Rias as we walked up the stairs to the stage, with her giving me a thankful smile as we stopped in front of Ajuka, who was standing next to an altar. Ajuka just gave us a small smile before he cleared his throat, a small green crest appearing under his chin as he had a laminated page in his right hand and a crimson crown in his left hand.
"This is a grandiose and important for not only House Gremory, but also all of Devil-kind as we are witnesses to the possible birth of a prodigy that appears once in a generation." As he spoke, I could hear the whispers behind Rias and I intensity, but I didn't dare look away from Ajuka as I noticed Rias calming down besides me.
"Isaiah Azathoth. The reason for your promotion is not for any military accomplishments or getting a great contract but merely for your pure power. The Knight of Rias Gremory. The boy who has shattered record after record by becoming the youngest Ultimate-Class Devil, the youngest reincarnated Devil to be promoted to a High-Class Devil and one of two Devils of the younger generations to become a potential Transcendental Devil just as Lord Lucifer, Lord Belial and I. In my truthful and honest opinion, not even Sirzechs, Diehauser and I compare to you when we were your age. After consulting Sirzechs and Diehauser on you, we three truly believe that you will become the most powerful Devil in history with no comparison and that is also why I truly believe you are worthy of this certificate, the rank of High-Class and the title of Baron." I could hear the soft gasps at his confession and even Rias couldn't hold her gasp as my eyes widened.
'You're just putting an even bigger target on my damn back!' I shouted mentally, my face still set in a polite smile.
"Kneel and accept your certificate and crown. Lady Rias, if you will" As Ajuka handed to the certificate to Rias, I got down onto one knee as I noticed Rias take a deep breath before she spoke.
"Do you, Isaiah Azathoth, promise to uphold the standards of a High-Class Devil? To always portray yourself as a noble of the highest order? To represent and protect the names of House Gremory and Rias Gremory with the best of your abilities?"
"I, Isaiah Azathoth, promise to uphold the Gremory name to the best of my ability and to protect Lady Gremory and her family with my life."
"Then, with this crown and this certificate, you are hereby promoted to the rank of High-Class. Now, arise." She said as she placed the crown securely on my head and I stood up, Rias smiling as she handed me the certificate and I smiled as I stare at it, the crowd's thunderous applause echoing as Rias smiled and I chuckled before we turned to Ajuka.
"Now, place your hand on the monument and register yourself as a King." Ajuka said as a miniature version of the monument crystal appeared next to him in a green flash, with me giving him a curious stare as he nodded before I smiled and placed my hand on it. I almost jumped as I heard a loud heartbeat sprung from the crystal and it began to glow a bright crimson, with me lifting my hand as I noticed my handprint on it before it disappeared and a crimson case appeared in my hands. The crystal's crimson glow began to disappear before it disappeared once again in a green flash, probably back to Ajuka's lab.
'Don't worry. This part is just for show. They're not real.' Here, I actually jumped a little as I heard Ajuka's voice in my head and I glanced up to see him smiling before he nodded and turned back to the excited crowd.
"And with that, we welcome the birth of a new King and the birth of a High-Class Devil amongst our ranks! A round of applause for a new King!" The crowd stood up as they applauded and cheered loudly, the higher-ranked Devils just clapping as they looked down from their cubicles.
"And now, a word of gratitude from Lady Rias. Lady Rias, if you would?" Ajuka said as he turned to Rias and she nodded as a small crimson crest appeared under her chin, the same one that Ajuka had.
"Firstly, thank you Lord Beelzebub for taking time out of your busy schedule to officiate this wondrous ceremony. We all know how little time you have with how much you focus on the improvement and well-being of Devil-kind." Ajuka just smiled and nodded.
"Secondly, I, would like to thank our esteemed lords and ladies for taking time out of their busy schedules to come to this ceremony." The Devil Lords in the cubicles just clapped politely, with those close to House Gremory smiling.
"Thirdly, I, along with the entirety of House Gremory, personally want to thank my elder and the most important member of our society, the Great Lord Zekram Bael, for gracing this ceremony with his presence."
"It was my pleasure, dear little Rias." We all heard Zekram say in an amused tone from where he was seated and Rias flushed red slightly before she turned to me.
"Next, this ceremony would not have been possible without its main star and I would like to thank him for making myself, along with House Gremory, so proud for achieving what he did."
"My pleasure, Lady Rias." I said with a smile and she giggled before she turned to the crowd.
"Finally, this would not have been a ceremony if we did not have a crowd and I would like to thank all of you for attending and assisting in making this such a huge event." The crowd just exploded with cheers and applause as she giggled before she turned to Ajuka, who took over.
"Once again, a round of applause for Lady Rias and her Knight, Baron Isaiah!" The crowd applauded and cheered once again as Sirzechs appeared next to us with a smile before we smiled and waved and we teleported away.
Grand Hall, Gremory Castle:
Later that Day:
"Another cheers to Isaiah for going beyond our expectations and becoming the youngest reincarnated Devil in history to be promoted to a High-Class Devil!" Lord Gremory said as he raised a glass of wine and the other lords and ladies, all allies and vassals of House Gremory, cheered as they also raised their glasses in celebration. I just smiled as I sat in between Rias and Akeno, Koneko sitting on my lap as I fed her cake and Sona, Tsubaki, Seekvaira, Sairaorg, Kuisha, Coriana and Alivian sat at the same table as us.
"Is there a reason to throw another huge feast after one was just held a few days ago?" I asked the Pure Blood Devils at the table and they all just chuckled/ giggled.
"Devils are beings of desire and chaos. Give us a reason no matter how small and we'll throw the biggest party to celebrate it." Sairaorg said with a shrug and I sighed before giving Koneko a spoonful of cake, with her slowly eating as I rubbed the top of her head.
"So, have you activated your pieces yet?" Sona asked and I shook my head as Koneko ate another spoonful of cake.
"No. I'm activating them tomorrow under the supervision of Lord Sirzechs and Lord and Lady Gremory just in case something happens that needs their immediate attention." She nodded before Sairaorg spoke.
"So when can we continue with our sparring?" He asked with a wide grin and I chuckled.
"Well, I'm still swamped with the old man's new forms of training and training Blade Blacksmith up to the same point as Sword Birth, but I'd say in about a month or so." He nodded eagerly as I sighed, drawing giggles from the girls.
"So you two spar?" Alivian asked with a curious stare and both Sairaorg and I nodded.
"Yeah, we've had about 342 spars with no winner, right?" Sairaorg said with a thoughtful frown on his face.
"376 spars, 376 draws." I corrected as I gave Koneko the final spoonful and she gave me a small smile as she climbed off and walked to get more cake.
"That's impressive considering Lord Sairaorg is said to be the strongest amongst the Youth Generation. Then again, you are said to become a Transcendental Devil by Lord Beelzebub, Lord Belial and Lord Lucifer, so it should be expected." Alivian said with an impressed smile on his face and I shrugged.
"That might change considering I don't have Lycaon with me anymore and Sairaorg still has Regulus." I said and Sairaorg shook his head with a frown.
"Regulus doesn't want me using him against you in a spar until he feels you're ready for it, so it's just going to be like the old days. Me and you in a battle of strength and dexterity using nothing but our wits and our Touki." I just rolled my eyes as everyone looked amused before Alivian spoke up.
"Would it bother you if I asked to partake in these spars?" Seekvaira looked surprised and happy at seeing Alivian ask that and Sairaorg and I glanced at each other before we grinned.
"Nope! The more the merrier!" We said in unison and he chuckled before he glanced at Seekvaira, who smiled and nodded.
"I might come and watch these spars myself." Sona said with a thoughtful look on her face as Tsubaki gave a happy nod and I shrugged.
"Like we said, the more the merrier."
"Then, I'll come and watch as well." Seekvaira said with a smile.
"What about you two?" I asked Rias and Akeno and they just smiled.
"If everyone's going to be there, then you know I'm going to be there as well. I still need to figure out how you fit into our team's dynamics." Rias said with a grin.
"And I'm always there, so you don't have to worry about me." Akeno said with a smirk and I chuckled as I nodded.
Ever since I started training again, Akeno was always there on the sidelines, reading some complex tomes on not only Lightning and Thunder Magic, but all forms of Demonic Magic and she always asked MacGregor to help her while I trained with Surtr and Okita. We always hung out after training, relaxing under the shade of the large oak tree in the training ground as Bardou and Joker slept besides us.
"Okay then. In a month's time, it's Sairaorg, Alivian and I for the first time in a triple-threat battle against each other. Agreed?" I asked to the two other fighters.
"Agreed." Both said in unison and I nodded.
"Now, to convince Okita to let the fight happen…yeah, this is either going to be easy or a massive struggle." I grumbled, making everyone laugh as Koneko returned, this time carrying two large plates full of cake. I just smiled as I lifted her back onto my lap and she placed the two plates in front of two, handing a new fork to me as she picked up her one.
"For me?" I asked as I pointed at the one plate and she nodded as I smiled and patted her head, making her mewl as she leaned against me while eating her cake.
"And here it took me three years of begging and cake before she let me even hug her." Rias grumbled from besides me and Koneko just shrugged as I chuckled, the others looking amused.
"I guess she just likes me more." I said with a smirk as I raised my spoonful of cake only for my smirk to drop and for me to mock-glare at Akeno as she slowly ate the cake.
"What? You took too long and you know how much I love Black Forest?" I just grumbled as I kept on eating, with Akeno and Rias stealing bites from time to time when Koneko drops my guard and everyone laughing at us.
The Next Morning:
Training Ground #2:
"…So, in a month's time, you want to fight both Sairaorg and Alivian, two Devils who are said to be the most powerful among the younger generation, in a triple-threat free-for-all fight? Did I get that right?"
"Yep!" I said with a grin as I nodded, Akeno and Rias giggling from where they sat under the shade of the large oak tree and Koneko was sparring on one side of the training ground with Surtr.
"…Fine. I suppose a new sparring partner would be better for your training. You've been getting too used to my and Sairaorg's fighting styles." Okita said with a sigh and I cheered with a fist pump as Okita chuckled and ruffled my hair, a bokken and a pair of wooden falchions appearing in his hands in a crimson flash. I stared in confusion as he tossed the falchions before my eyes widened as I quickly raised the falchions in a cross block to block a downwards strike.
"Sandanzuki. Show me how far you've come in understanding it." I grinned and nodded before I pushed him off, our Touki exploding into existence before I blurred as he got ready.
'Sandanzuki!' With my first step, I was but a few inches in front of him, the falchions arcing towards his neck only for him to grin as he parried it. With my second step, I was crouched behind him with one falchion going for his legs and the other going for his chest. He just chuckled as he jumped and spun between the gap of the attacks, his bokken slowly coming for my chest. With my third and final step, I was once again behind his airborne body, both falchions coming down for his neck and his waist, but he just chuckled as he disappeared midair and appeared behind me, his bokken arcing for my neck.
I just grinned as I weaved under his attack. His second and third attack came simultaneously from the front as an air thrust and from behind me as a slash. I chuckled gleefully as I parried his air thrust to momentarily stop his own slash before I pivoted on my heel and spun as I slashed at him. He just nodded with a grin as he disappeared and reappeared a few feet away from me.
"A good grasp on what it means, how to attack with it and how to defend against it, but it seems you struggle to keep pace with the boost in speed, which makes sense considering your speed is temporarily tripled for a single second while using Sandanzuki." I nodded and he grinned before a second shorter bokken appeared in his left hand as he grasped the first one tightly in his right hand.
"Now, time to see how many times you can use it." I just sighed as I rolled my shoulders nad got in a ready stance. The air was silent as we both stared at each other, our Touki auras slowly emanating before we disappeared.
A/N: Yeah, this chapter was just the ceremony and nothing else. Also, this was a chapter I actually liked to write since I didn't have to completely make the ceremony up from scratch. Anyway, leave the reviews as always and I'll see you all next chapter.
Until then… Ba-Bye~!