The day of the showdown. 11:40 p.m.
The game's about to start. The Gremory team waits in the Occult Research Club room.
Koneko-chan sports leather open-finger gloves, a cute paw print on them, munching biscuits. Kiba, in gauntlets and greaves, leans against the wall, reading to stay calm. The captain and Akeno-san sip tea, lounging on the sofa. Asia, beside me, grips my hand, her nerves clear. She's got no combat power or experience. Fear's natural.
"Scared, huh?" I say.
"Yes…" she murmurs.
"I get it. Saying 'don't worry' is tough. But trust us, Asia. We'll win."
I pat her head. It won't erase her fear, but if it calms her even a bit, that's enough.
As everyone relaxes their way, a silver magic circle glows, and Grayfia appears.
"Is everyone ready?" she asks.
We stand, signaling readiness. Grayfia begins.
"When the game starts, this circle will transport you to the battleground, a disposable dimension between the human world and underworld. Use your powers freely; it's built to withstand anything."
I raise my hand. "So, we can go all out?"
"Yes. The field's durability ensures it won't collapse."
Good. We need that to take down an immortal Phoenix.
Grayfia continues. "Both families and Lord Lucifer himself will watch via broadcast. Keep that in mind."
"So, my brother's watching," the captain says.
Of course. Her brother, Sirzechs, plus the Gremory and Phoenix families, are all tuned in.
Grayfia summons a magic circle in the room's center. "Step into the circle for transport."
We comply, the light intensifying. As we wait, Grayfia addresses me. "Issei Hyoudou, a message from Sirzechs-sama."
"A message?"
"'Take care of my sister.'"
Got it. Maybe he's against this engagement too? Forcing his sister into a marriage she hates doesn't sound like him.
If Miu were in that spot, I'd wreck everything to stop it. Big brother mode, full throttle!
"Classic sis-con," Ddraig teases.
Damn right! It's a brother's duty!
But Sirzechs, as a Demon King, probably couldn't openly oppose it. His message says it all.
I turn to Grayfia, grinning. "Tell Sirzechs-sama I'll protect the captain, no matter what."
She nods, a faint, satisfied smile on her face. "Good luck, everyone."
Light engulfs us, and we're gone.
I open my eyes. We're in the club room. Transfer glitch? Then, an announcement echoes.
"This is Grayfia, servant of the Gremory house, acting as referee for the Phoenix-Gremory match."
She's the referee?
"The battlefield is a replica of Kuoh Academy, crafted in a pocket dimension."
No way! This club room's a copy? Down to the magazines and Koneko-chan's snacks, it's perfect. My hidden dirty mags might even be here. Outside, the school's replicated too, but the sky's a surreal green aurora. Devil tech is wild.
Grayfia continues. "Your bases: Rias-sama's is the old schoolhouse club room; Raiser-sama's is the new schoolhouse student council room. Pawns, reach the enemy base for promotion."
The distance between bases means we can likely block their pawns' promotions.
"Restriction: Issei Hyoudou's familiar, Dragon King Tiamat, is banned."
"Official games often limit strong familiars," the captain says, smiling wryly.
Fair. Unrestricted familiars would turn this into a familiar brawl.
"The game lasts until dawn. It begins now."
The school bell chimes, and our first Rating Game kicks off.
"Captain, I got a map," Kiba says, spreading it on the table. It's a gridded school layout, labeled like a chessboard.
The captain marks the old and new schoolhouses, strategizing. "The gym's a key point. If Raiser takes it, we're at a disadvantage."
"Even if we take it, our numbers make holding it tough," Akeno-san adds.
"Captain, should I go? I can handle it solo," I offer.
She pauses, then says, "No, let's destroy the gym. It'll free up our moves."
Neutralize a contested point. Smart.
Kiba chimes in. "If they're aiming for the gym, why not use it as bait?"
"Good. We'll take out enemies too. Kiba, Koneko, Akeno, set traps in the forest. Issei, Asia, stay here."
"Got it, Captain," Kiba says.
The three summon familiars and head out, leaving me, the captain, and Asia.
While waiting, I close my eyes, sensing the field's energies. The trap team's moving smoothly. Raiser's group is still in the new schoolhouse, idle. Underestimating us? Or giving the captain a handicap?
"What're you doing, Issei?" the captain asks, curious.
"Tracking Raiser's moves by sensing energy flows."
Her eyes widen. "You can do that?"
"Yeah, kinda."
"And Raiser's group?"
"No movement. Maybe they're cocky."
"…I see." Tension laces her voice.
This game decides her future, yet it's her first. She's read tactics books during training, but her expression's tight. She's nervous, unsure if she can lead us or win. Even the poised academy idol is a young girl, prone to doubts.
"Captain, got a sec?"
"Hm?"
I step behind her, hands on her shoulders, adjusting her energy flow to ease her tension.
"How's that?"
"It feels… warm, calming," she says, relaxing.
"Just balancing your energy."
"Have you been using senjutsu?"
"Not exactly, but close."
Ddraig mentioned senjutsu here manipulates energy, like my techniques, boosting abilities or sensing foes, but lacks raw destructive power. I'd love to meet a senjutsu user someday.
"Feeling better?" I ask.
She smiles. "You see right through me, huh? I'm fine, thanks."
"Good to hear."
She chuckles. "Do it for Asia too."
I glance at Asia, who's teary-eyed, cheeks puffed. Jealous?
"Come here, Asia. I'll do you too."
"Yes!" she beams.
I balance their energies, and by the end, both look refreshed. The returning trio's puzzled looks are another story.
Traps set around the old schoolhouse, we move. Koneko-chan and I head to the gym; Kiba waits in the forest to ambush pawns. Akeno-san charges her magic to destroy the gym.
At the gym, the captain's voice crackles through the comms. "Issei, Koneko, I'll signal when Akeno's ready. Neutralize enemies and report."
"Captain, let me handle the gym's destruction."
"What's up?"
"I sensed someone spying, likely their queen. I'd like Akeno-san to take her."
A queen's magic makes wasting Akeno-san's power risky.
"Understood, Issei-kun. I'll handle her," Akeno-san says.
I contact Kiba. "Three heading your way. Take them out, then I'll destroy the gym."
"Got it. I'll signal when done," Kiba replies.
"Let's hit the gym," I tell Koneko-chan.
We slip in through the back.
Behind the stage, we spot enemies on the court. They're watching us. Busted.
"Issei-senpai," Koneko-chan whispers.
"Yeah, they know we're here. No point hiding."
We step onto the stage. Four female devils: a woman in a cheongsam, a girl with a staff, and two petite twins. The cheongsam woman's a rook; the others, pawns. Twice our number.
The cheongsam woman speaks. "Coming out before we call you? Bold."
"Hiding's a waste when you've spotted us," I reply.
"Let's get started then."
They ready for combat.
"Issei-senpai, I'll take the rook. You handle the pawns," Koneko-chan says.
"Got it. Be careful."
"I will. You trained me well."
We face our foes. Three pawns before me, one rook before Koneko-chan. The staff-wielding pawn readies her weapon; the twins pull out chainsaws, grinning.
Vrrrm! The chainsaws roar.
"Let's carve you up!" one twin chirps.
"Slice, slice, slice!" the other giggles.
Girls shouldn't say that! Chainsaws aren't for people! Read the manual!
"Hah!" The staff pawn swings.
I dodge, chest arched back, as the twins charge. Their attacks are slow, predictable, laced with magic. They'd hurt if they hit, but my hard qigong can block them easily.
I evade without countering, and the twins yell, "Ugh, so annoying!"
"Why can't we hit you?"
"…Not even a graze," the staff pawn mutters, rattled.
Grinning, I taunt, "Those attacks? They'll never touch me."
I close my eyes, playing the villain. They attack harder, fueled by anger.
"You said it!"
"Mocking us!"
"…I'll crush you!"
Their strikes intensify but miss. I read their moves through energy and air flows, their emotions making them predictable. Their attacks slow as stamina fades. Checkmate's near.
I glance at Koneko-chan. She's dominating the rook, who's battered.
"Your attacks… too heavy!" the rook pants.
"Training paid off," Koneko-chan replies, landing a sharp blow to her gut.
A heavy thud. The rook collapses, unconscious, vanishing in light.
"Raiser Phoenix's rook, one retired," Grayfia announces.
Game retirements work like that, huh?
"Nice work, Koneko-chan. Training's shining."
She smiles faintly at my thumbs-up. So cute! I wanna pat her!
"No," she says, deadpan.
"That's cold! Is it that bad?"
Harsh! That hurt worse than any attack lately!
Brushing off my wounded pride, I decide to heal it with flair. Dodging the pawns' attacks, I slip past and snap my fingers.
"Dress Break!"
Their clothes, underwear included, shred, revealing bare skin. A bit underdeveloped, but still a sight!
"Aaaaah!" they scream, covering themselves.
Expected, but my eyes have memorized it all!
"My vision catches panty flashes from miles away! Thanks for the show!"
"Pervert!"
"Beast!"
"Enemy of women!"
Their insults don't faze me. I'm used to it.
"You were cool in battle, but this? Disgusting, Issei-senpai," Koneko-chan says.
Ouch. That one stings.
"Raiser Phoenix's pawns, three retired," Grayfia announces.
Kiba's voice crackles. "Issei-kun, I'm done here."
"Got it. Meet at the field. I'll be there."
"On my way."
I leave the naked pawns, joining Koneko-chan, who steps back.
"Stay away, pervert-senpai."
"I won't use it on allies!"
Making excuses, I exit the gym, focus energy, and unleash a blast. The gym explodes, taking the pawns with it.
"Raiser Phoenix's pawns, three retired," Grayfia confirms.
"Gym's down. Let's meet Kiba," I say.
"Right," Koneko-chan nods.
Phase one complete. As we head to the field, a sudden explosion hits us.