Raynare wasn't someone I had planned to face this very early in the story.
I did make some plans to let the plot unfold a little more before making some full interventions.
To maybe tag in during the eventuality that Issei would have ended up being lured by the Fallen Angel to the Church, thus giving me the chance of having some support during a fight I wasn't meant to be going through in the open.
But it wasn't time to deal with scenarios that aren't going to happen now that the woman was attacking us in broad daylight, disregarding completely the fact that people might be coming soon to investigate the sudden spike in magical energy.
Just like in the show, Raynare was wearing quite the incredibly skimpy and revealing set of 'clothes' that were there to distract any male opponents she was facing.
I admit it would have worked in a normal situation as I did look provocative and endearing enough at the sight that could get me to pause more than once, but much to her chagrin, I was kind of pissed and extremely concerned about the safety of Asia to be interested in being a hesitant moron.
I just couldn't afford to deal with the fact that little detail, knowing full well that utmost attention was a must to brave this difficult fight.
As the battle progressed with a certain high pace, a simple but continuous exchange of Light Spears from one side to another, I noticed a feeble green light coming from the bleeding nun as I gave her brief glances.
Despite the mortal wounds, the girl had somehow remained conscious during this heated brawl.
With the distraction I was offering by clashing against Raynare, Asia had started to get Twilight Healing to start mending her injuries, which was quite good as it offered a little more time to deal with the Fallen Angel.
Yet as this all unfolded, I decided to cover my bases for an eventual retreat, planting some Silver Lining seals on the ground in front of me.
Knowing whom I was dealing with, especially by her impulsiveness she was displaying during this brawl, it was now a matter of moments before she decided to-
The dark-haired beauty snarled in visible fury at the lack of success with her long-ranged attacks, and she finally decided to interrupt the stalemate of lights by trying to go for a direct assault.
While Fallen Angels weren't known for their physical strength, their bodies were far more resilient and stronger than what a mere human, and standing my ground against her approach wouldn't be much convenient for my normal body.
I saw her wings flap sharply as Raynare dived down for a quick assault, a yell leaving her lips as she rushed swiftly upon me and I felt urged to take some step backs away from her.
The woman looked giddy at my reaction, probably expecting me to not have anything to hold her back in a confrontation of that kind…
But I was merely holding back my grin from spoiling the surprise I had set up for her to discover.
She prepared two Spears in her hands, ready to engage in close combat and butcher the hell out of me, still unaware that this was all part of a very simple but effective plan.
The moment she had her first weapon raised above her head and ready to plunge down onto my chest, the multiple seals I had laid down on the ground sprung into action and three strong ropes of light sparked in action.
The Silver Lining rushed silently but quickly enough as they went to restrain the woman for a short amount of time, enough to get me some time to get more plans to work more on this situation
Raynare was stronger than Dohnaseek and Silver Lining wasn't meant to be a permanent solution to capture people of her caliber.
I had to make things… even.
Two dull-gray Light Spears formed mid-air right behind the distracted woman, rushing quickly towards her wings in an effort to keep her grounded.
My hopes snapped the very moment she broke away from her feeble limitations, and Raynare turned around quickly, shattering one of the incoming blades, but failing to move quickly enough to avoid the remaining one.
Much to my immense dismay, the spear failed to reach one of her wings, but it cut a deep wound on her exposed thighs.
She yelped sharply at the sudden injury, briefly shivering while she recovered from the sudden pain.
Her eyes were now displaying mindless anger, dread, and a complete state of fear.
She had come so close to lose one of her wings, something that was considered very important in Fallen Angel's society. Wings were the last gift of God when they were sent out of Heaven, something to flaunt around against their enemies.
And losing a wing wasn't something that just could be healed up for normal Fallen Angels, and Raynare knew that well enough to be frightened by the concept.
Not even Twilight Healing would have been capable of fixing that kind of damage and… she tensed up as I took a step towards her.
"Y-You!" The dark-haired woman backed away a few more meters away from me, keeping her complete sight on me as I continued to keep on guard for any other attacks. "Why are you even helping this nun? Why would you-"
"Asia-san is a friend of mine, Raynare-san," I shot back fiercely at her surprised look. "This is the second individual I'm close to that you've caused pain to and I will not forgive you for those situations!"
She flinched the moment I took a step towards her. "S-Stop! I- We don't need to fight- I can offer you what you wish for- power, m-money a-and even a g-girlfriend-"
"Don't tell me. Yuuma-san?"
There was an uneasy silence, the woman's face paling even more at the mentioning of that name. "Y-You are f-friend with that-"
"Ise is my kohai, you bitch, and you tried to kill him," I snapped furiously, feeling a little incensed and enabled by the adrenaline still rushing in my veins. "Same for Asia-chan. I am going to end you for what you've done!"
She flinched fearfully as I took another step towards her, almost breaking from the sudden tension keeping her body frozen, her wings managing to snap her away from the ground and float away from the floor the floor.
I stared at her, my cold eyes wide open as I continued to look whle Raynare spun around and quickly fled the area without saying anything else.
I waited a few more moments after she had gone away from my eyesight before turning my attention back to the blonde, Asia slowly trying to sit up while still trembling from the blood-loss she had suffered.
Her clothes was shredded by the chest area, prompting me to get my jacket off and cover torso with it.
Twilight Healing couldn't restore any of the blood lost, leaving her still drained on that predicament.
"I-I am sorry," She muttered quickly. It was an apology of sort much to my dismay and annoyance. I generally disliked those people that apologized with no apparent reason, it just brought up some unpleasant memories of good characters killed for no reasons.
"It wasn't your fault, Asia-chan," I replied back while picking her up from the floor. "We were just unlucky that she would try to do something like this and… I need to take you to a safe place."
She blinked curiously. "Really? How much… safe?"
"Issei's parents kind of safe," I replied almost instantly, slowly pulling her up even more and carry her bridal style, her suitcase and my groceries bag quickly attached onto my back with some Silver Linings.
The blonde blushed a little but she was still quite stunned by what had just transpired.
"Oh? A-Are they nice people?"
I nodded at her question, starting to pump some energy in my legs and quickly bolting through the streets with little, my mind fixed on the place I had to reach quickly.
The blonde giggled at the sudden rush of speed, quite adorably so as she seemed to enjoy the little ride around town.
"So fast," She giggled again and snuggled closer to my chest.
Asia wasn't mortally wounded but she still needed some rest and nourishment to help with her recovery.
Thus as I reached for the entrance door of the household I didn't skip a beat in quickly ringing the door-bell and wait for someone to arrive and open the door.
Miki Hyoudou, Issei's mother and respectable housewife of this house, looked initially pleased to see me, but then gasped at the sight of a barely conscious girl in my arms.
"Mrs. Hyoudou, I need some help with her," I told her in a faux-panicking voice, trying to urge importance about this. "We were mugged ans she was injured."
Her eyes widened at the hasty explanation and she did noticed some bloody spots appearing on the jacket that was on the girl's chest.
"C-Come in! I-I think I have some first aid kits a-and I can call some ambulance."
"It isn't necessary for further help, Ma'am. The wound isn't as deep as it seems, but it's the first time she let out this much blood."
There was an erratic nod as the woman rushed to get the proper medications to assist the situation and I slowly placed the girl in the long couch in the living room.
Asia shifted in her sleep at the sudden lack of warmth but seemed to accept the comforting pillow offered to her head as an acceptable replacement from the small appreciative smile that had appeared on her face.
"I got some bandages, some pain-killers and-" The married woman paused a moment to stare at the angelic face of the blonde and frowned. "Such a sweet girl, attacked in broad daylight of all times possible..."
Then she turned to face me. "But could I ask what are you doing here and not in Kuoh Academy, young man?"
I sighed. "I am currently recovering from a momentary period of sickness, and I just started to get a little better now?"
The suspicious expression softened in an understanding one. "I… see."
At this point the woman had begun removing some of the clothes covering the upper body of the girl, gesturing me to look away as she continued with the process of bandaging the area.
"You were… correct," Mrs. Hyoudou admitted quietly, her eyes still fixed on the blonde's sleeping self. "The wound is so difficult to spot but… so much blood?" She blinked with some confusion as she glanced over the injured area.
"I think it's something of a genetic thing, but I don't know for sure about," I lied about it, knowing that the truth now wouldn't make any sense and… I didn't need to deal with instances similar to the one with Issei.
The woman still ended up accepting it as the truth while she continued to be focused over the wound.
A few moments of silence passed and while Asia continued to sleep quietly in the couch, with fresh bandages and medical ointments applied on the hurting area, Issei's mother decided to ask few more questions about the matter.
"Did you see the face of the aggressor, Hoitsu-kun?"
"Just barely, ma'am," I stated in a truthful note as I did see Raynare commit the act. "But I've already called the police and told them about what happened."
"Good… but how did you phone with Asia-chan in your arms, young man?" I blinked and realized I did have my hands busy at the time and I let out a faux sheepish look.
"I-If I have to be honest, I think it was mostly adrenaline," I felt blushing a little at her suspicious/surprised look, but she merely nodded as I continued. "Sometimes in a moment of panic I end up doing some strange actions that should be quite impossible..."
"Like bringing the girl's suitcase and your grocery bag on your back," Mrs. Hyoudou added dryly, a curious look in her face.
"I do some training on my free time," I motivated quickly, feeling rather nervous at the interrogation. "F-Dad says that a good mind requires also a good body."
She blinked in surprise. "Truly and… you have never gone against this decision by… doing other things you that you might like."
...Where was she going with this?
"I do spend some of my free time doing what I like-"
"And that is?" She pressed on and for a moment I saw her appearance flicker to another individual, one that was looking much sterner and pressing about the situation.
I felt myself growing smaller the more this continued, but I managed to let out a calm sigh.
"...Reading books."
My admittance caused her to huff in minor disappointment.
"To think that I would have to deal with someone the opposite of my baby boy," She sighed and… suddenly pinched my cheeks.
I almost jumped at the situation but her hold was surprisingly strong enough to keep me stuck on my seat.
"You are supposed to go out, have a social life and get yourself a girlfriend. How are you supposed to give your parents some grandchildren!?"
I groaned at the sudden barrage of responsibilities. I swear to the Gods that sounded like the nagging I had back home, I could almost hear mom's voice overlapping with Miki's voice.
"I'm fine-"
"You say that, but you seem still shaky about what happened now," The woman pressed on with this motherly stubbornness. "I am half-tempted to keep you here for a while, just to see if you need some rest or anything..."
I wonder how Ma is doing right now. Probably worrying the hell out of her missing son.
I drew a long, patient sigh within my head as I knew I couldn't just stop now that I had a chance to deal with Raynare.
Now that she was weakened by our previous fight, I could give it a shot and try to kill her with proper planning and careful maneuvering.
My reserves were drained a little, but I could still do much more for today.
And if I didn't press the advantage now, I would end up getting a more active and careful force of rogue Fallen Angels to deal with.
That wouldn't be good for me.
"-But I know that you wouldn't like that," The mother continued with a tired sigh. "And I am not your mother. So the only thing I can say is be careful in your way back home."
I felt the need to flinch at those words, put in quite the uneasy state at how familiar those were.
Way close to home and… this stress shouldn't be adding up all today.
I merely nodded but, as I went to pick my grocery bag, I paused a moment as I remembered something else I had to do.
"Actually, Mrs. Hyoudou, there is something of a favor I would like to request." I started, garnering the woman's full attention. "It's about Asia."
---------------d-d-d-d--------------d-d-d-d-------------d-d-d-d----------d-d-dd-----------
It was around lunch time that I got by the only Church in town.
The place had gone mostly unused since the 'Clelia Belial' case had concluded, with the Holy See retreating their own garrison out of the city to avoid any retaliation from the successor of the young woman for the control of Kuoh.
Quite the paranoid move, but one that not only lessened the pressure in Kuoh, but also made it possible for Grigori to establish a foothold in the city.
The building was left in a state of decay, mostly to give the idea that the place was abandoned and devoid of any major contingency living by this area.
But while I stared at the entrance and pondered how I should approach the situation at hand, I couldn't help but think back about how things had gone by at the Hyoudou's household.
I was partly surprised at how Issei's mother took the situation regarding the excommunicated nun, giving her sad looks as I explained more about the backstory before I ended up giving the real question about the blonde.
"Could you take her in? She doesn't… have anyone to live with."
I remember Rias being the one pushing this idea to the brunet's parents, but in Canon that case was dictated by Asia's status as the redhead's new Bishop and by the good reputation the girl had in town.
Without the girl becoming a Devil, it meant that the heiress of the Gremory family had little interest to push the girl's safety onto the two adults' care.
So when I did ask that request, having little of what Rias had about persuasion, I was saved by the fact the woman was already considering keeping her around until she recovered.
Miki was still unsure about keeping the blonde after she was properly healed, and she motivated the fact she had to discuss it with her husband fir before confirming this predicament.
I accepted the compromise and she agreed to contact me once Asia was awake and stable, leaving me to face the important issue that still lingered
Returning back to the current situation, I slowly made my way inside the formerly holy building, in my hands I was tightly holding a Light Spear I had conjured mere moments ago.
The structure looked quite desolate, and I felt some shivers go down my spine.
The lack of the religious peace and calm that was usual in well-kept church but was now missing from the place, making it quite the unpleasant setting for something horrible soon to happen.
My steps were as soft as possible since I wanted to keep my presence concealed the best possible while I carefully ventured inside the most dangerous area of the city.
My eyes were silently glancing everywhere for any signs of exorcists in the rooms, and my mind was urging me to consider any possible hideout that could have been set up for ambushes against me.
I was going in the lion's den by the front door, and I didn't know how 'big' this place truly was.
I remember from Canon that there was a group of stray exorcists already there preparing for the big event planned by Raynare.
Those were led by foul-mouthed Freed Sellzen of all people, and that there were two other Fallen Angels to be careful about while also giving attention to their leader.
My objective wasn't to truly decimate the force as my current fighting capability was far too limited to give me more chances of damaging the garrison beyond just killing the big target right now.
I had a simple plan, a very quick and easy one, but nothing had prepared me to the sight I found myself staring at few moments later.
I looked at the last doors that led to the main room of the Church, where functions used to be celebrated in and… I blinked in disgust.
Corpses mostly covered by bloodied capes and other pieces of shredded clothes. They had all been butchered out and left to bleed out, all massed up near the large entrance.
None was moving, they were all dead… including the permanently scowling Freed now lying on the group right in front of the two main doors.
The leading figure of the exorcists had let go of his initial equipment, the 'Exorcist Gun' which seemed to have been broken by a powerful squeeze and… the 'light-saber' he was keen to use a lot in Canon.
I picked it off the ground and stared at it, always fascinated by its working.
It looked like it was still in acceptable conditions and I activated it to see if I was truly correct with this assumption.
My eyes blinking in awe and glee at the bright light coming from the little staff, consolidating in a white blade that looked so much like a proper 'Lightsaber'.
I immediately turned it off to not waste too much of its energy and I started to search for something that could resemble like batteries.
While it looked like some incredibly awesome weapon, I was also sure that it wasn't something that didn't require sustainable resources like with the Star Wars' version and that meant that there had to be something like a battery to make it.
Lo and behold, my little scavenging act was rewarded with seven transparent small crystals that seemed to fit in the lower section of its metallic hilt.
Putting the new weapon in my pocket, I had now a better chance of fending off anyone on my way since I could switch to use the sword without needing to empty my entire magical reserves and… possibly get killed because of draining my lifeforce.
I pushed a little the wooden barrier that led to the greater room of the building and gave a peek inside.
The acoustics were excellent and the sight offered by the sufficient illumination granted by some holes in the roof that let in some light was good enough to understand what was going on inside of it.
My eyes widened a little as I saw instantly that the two other Fallen Angels that served under Raynare, Kalawarner and Mittelt, were kneeling down as they silently looked towards the other two figures in the room.
Raynare was kneeling too, but she was crying profusely as she continued to beg the man that was currently giving me his back.
I frowned at his frame, feeling like I should have recognized him from it by now and… yet I couldn't pinpoint much from the little details I could see from my little cover.
The distance just wasn't helping me, and I ponder over moving closer to get a better visual about the situation.
I sighed quietly as I couldn't exactly hear what he was saying to the scared Raynare and thus, deciding to poke fun at fate itself, I slowly and stealthily crouch-walked towards a broken column that was closer to where the group was.
As I finished with this little relocation, I returned to glance back at the scene and… I noticed something was incredibly off.
The trio of Fallen Angels was now looking incredibly confused, alarmed even, as the man that had been standing there was now... gone?
I blinked once, then twice and… I finally noticed that something felt incredibly odd about my current placement.
I could distinctly remember this place having enough light to give a clear sight over everywhere and… yet where I was standing I felt like it everything looked quite… darkened.
Ad if a shadow was looming right from behind me.
My head slowly turned around and I was greeted with a smiling face that was of a very important character of the show.
Azazel winked back at me and waved cheekily as I almost jumped at the sudden appearance of this powerful being this close to where I was.
A half-whispered 'Fuck' leaving my lips caught the attention of the other occupants of the large room and my cover was literally blown apart by the presence of the leader of Grigori himself.
I poked fate and fate poked back by kicking my ass. Harshly.
"Hello there, young intruder," The Governor-General May I ask what are you doing here?"
I blinked, paling as this situation continued but managed some words out as the man waited patiently.
"I-I am here t-to kill..." I pointed at the glaring Raynare. "H-Her."
He stared up to his subordinate and the young woman shied away from looking back at him.
"Is that so?"
I nodded and he sighed. "Then could you explain to me what drives you to such a… murderous mission?" The Governor-General inquired with an intrigued tone. "I was busy trying to explain things about 'responsibilities' here and while also trying my best to appear an upstanding boss for those three… 'wayward' idiots."
The three Fallen Angels blushed embarrassed at the way they were addressed, but didn't rebuke it as… Azazel wasn't someone to take lightly, especially if you worked under him.
But I was shivering- no, trembling at the fact I could get killed if I didn't act properly.
"S-She killed a friend of mine and… tried to do t-the same with another friend of-"
"She jumped and took the Spear meant to you. I was going to kill you-!" The dark-haired woman tried to explain, but I wasn't done yet.
"But doesn't change the fact you hurt her!"
We exchanged some fierce glaring, momentarily ignoring whom was in the room but…
"Hahaha! That is something I've not seen in a long time, some childish bickering between enemies." The leader of Grigori said with a mirthful tone, letting out a chuckle while nodding at me. "I see that you both have some reason to fight each other and, while I would be quick to dispatch a punishment for trying to betray me, young Raynare, how about a bet?"
I tensed at the word 'bet', knowing well enough that 'bets' for Azazel were nothing to be happy about.
What was the crazy bastard thinking to do here?
"A fair fight to the death between you and this funny fellow," The man explained quietly. "The one that wins this match gets to live after today and… I don't think I need to explain what happens to the one who loses."
"I-I think I should have the right to-"
"Denied~!" He stated quickly with a giddy tone and without even looking back at me, his stare turning right at the girl. "What are you going to do, little Raynare?"
Was there even a choice for her?
Even I knew that refusing this opportunity would mean denying herself a chance of getting a lenient punishment out of her treachery being uncovered by Azazel and that was way too much endearing to let go so stupidly.
So I wasn't surprised when she managed a quick 'I accept', but I was quite scared when I felt disappearing in some dark-yellow light only to reappear right in front of the young woman, right a few meters away from where she was standing.
"Then you both better prepared yourselves. We start in 5… 4… 3-"
I tensed up in panic at the sudden countdown, but I quickly took few step backs, both of us creating each six Light Spears and the man pausing a moment to stare at mines.
"You have…" He hummed and then nodded. "If you win I will have to understand how are you doing that funny trick."
Now wasn't that reassuring?
3.
2.
1.
Raynare jumped high up and tried to get some advantage by maintaining herself up above with her wings, away from direct confrontations.
I gritted my teeth at the fact that she had learned from her recent mistakes, something that crippled my chances of bringing her down to ground-level.
The initial stage of this fight turned out into the same exchange that had happened earlier today, but with a major difference from me.
While my body wasn't as winded as it was back at the Hyoudou residence since I had gotten plenty of rest to recover from the adrenaline rush, my Core hadn't truly been replenished from the previous draining use of costly attacks.
So, when I noticed that the woman seemed to have taken a more careful approach over this battle by keeping away from direct confrontations, I knew I had to find a way to force her down on the ground for me to deal in close quarters.
My first attempt was the first trick that came to my mind, as I planted Silver Lining seals on the ground right below the Fallen Angel and quickly deployed the white ropes of light, with those speeding quickly toward the waiting target.
Much to my minor dismay, this little effort was rendered useless by the quick response of the girl as several of the Spears previously targeting my own 'missile' barrage quickly turned to intercept the strings, shredding them instantly.
I huffed in annoyance as I felt my reserves starting to groan at the continuous drain on them, urging me to find a way to break this stalemate I was losing slowly but steadily.
"You will not win, human!" Raynare yelled with utter conviction in herself, a nervous smile appearing on her face. "I will not accept losing to you, not anymore. It is my pride and my life at stake, and I will not allow you to deny my ambitions!"
I blinked as the number of spears she was producing started to increase once she was done with her speech, forcing me to start dodging the stray weapons passing through my weary defense.
This situation just worsened… a little.
My mind was burning at the various plans that started to flash in and those that were rejected because of some impracticability of the current situation.
It was infuriating how I couldn't use the Lightsaber on her because of how distant she was and the fact she was keeping her distance above me was starting to further irk me. I had to move and-
Slash!
My eyes widened the moment as I saw one of her Spears tear through part of the sleeve of my left arm, a large gash forming on the limb and forcing me to back away with an agony painted in my face.
FUCK! THOSE HURTS!
"Just stay still and accept your death, filthy worm!"
I scowled and resumed my dodging, this time the pain keeping me distracted from formulating any logical plan, but was doing miracles in keeping me sharp in seeing the trajectory of the errant Spears coming for me.
A small thought, a chant repeated furiously in my brain, a mantra of strength and anger.
Hit her.
HIT HER!
I wanted to land a fucking hit on that flying bitch and I was starting to see red the more this butchering continued to leave injuries on me.
A big plan, I wanted to squish her like the annoying mosquito she was and…
I blinked in realization as a good idea popped in my mind at those fury-fueled thoughts I was dealing with.
This place was filled with broken pillars, old benches, and other large projectile I could use against her.
A small smile formed in my face and it was quickly noticed by Raynare.
"Already accepting your fate, human?"
"Me, giving up?" I shot back with an amused tone, ready to chuckle a little at how devious my plot was. "I was just considering how you preach about pride but never about the morals. You strive for some ends, but never consider the means to reach it."
She frowned but I continued.
"That is why I shall be the victor of this fight," I finally let out a brief chuckle. "For I have the moral high ground here!"
At this declaration a snarl left her lips and she starting to push even more energy in her attacks.
But it was too late for her.
Several seals spawned around the unoccupied sections of the Church, the various magical strings wrapping around any large objects that was there for me to use.
The move was draining, but without having the Light Spears further denting at my core, I felt it easier to manage the multiple seals I had produced.
Benches, debris and other broken but sturdy parts of the place were suddenly yanked up and towards the Fallen Angel's unaware state.
The young woman's eyes widened in utter horror at the massive assault directed at her, and I could only guess because she wasn't expecting this much effort from a human like me.
But as she successfully shifted her attention to grind down the rocks and the wood I had thrown at her, I quickly snapped in action by using one of the Silver Linings to yank myself right on one of the approaching debris and then, while fighting back the sudden pain erupting from my chest at my exhausted core, I jumped up and above the unsuspecting girl.
My body was on fire from the usage of so much energy and the stress building up for the physical tiredness I was suffering through.
The sudden duress I had put onto my core starting to bite my butt, but the adrenaline was doing more than enough to keep me from getting distracted by the searing pain steadily growing through my entire body.
The Lightsaber once owned by Freed blazed to life as I prepped it for its first lightshow under my ownership, ready and eager to get a killing blow accomplished and soon, once I had stabilized well above the distracted Fallen Angel, I dived down for the victory blow.
Maybe it was the wind, maybe it was instinct that got her to perceive me approaching, but by the time I was close enough to her, Raynare snapped her head right to look right where I was.
Violet eyes widening in terrified shock, she couldn't do anything as my blade came down upon her.
Something was cut, blood was spilled and… I was sent crashing toward the ground.
CRACK!
Pain surged within my now-throbbing right arm, the limb taking most of the punishment and… I felt some ribs broke too because of the impact.
I coughed some blood, failing to stand up as I looked back at where Raynare was.
The young woman had followed my same quick descent to the floor, slamming quite brutally on the unforgiving ground as she ended up getting cut by the pieces of rocks lingering.
We were both sporting minor cuts from this escalation and our breathing were labored at best.
There was no way we could have continued this… but we needed to. It was a matter of life and death now.
We waited some time, trying to see whom was going to get up and get the victory while also knowing that we weren't able to do so.
Too much pain and strain was going through our system and our bodies had gone beyond the limits we had.
A smiling Azazel landed right between us and raised his arms towards both.
"It would seem like this match has ended in… a draw!"
…
W-Wha the-
Thud
Before I could call BS on what had just happened, that my efforts were useless and that Raynare was going to live…
What an infuriating day!
----------d-d-d-d-----------d-d-d-d--------d-d-d-d----------d-d-d-d------------d-d-d-d---------
I woke up some time later, surprisingly enough not in the church I had fallen unconscious to but someplace warmer and… softer.
My eyes snapped open suddenly as the pain finally broke me away from my quiet sleep and I found myself staring at the ceiling of the room, a familiar ceiling-
This was the ceiling of my room.
My eyes widened and slowly I started to look around, trying to not move my body too much as I was still sore and in pain.
H-How did I got there? Who brought me here-
My thoughts died down the moment I heard some pages of a book rustling quickly, as if someone was cheeking my-
I stared at Azazel, the man sighing in disappointment as he closed another book from my library and giving me an annoyed glance.
"You know, Hoitsu Sakakibara," The Governor-General muttered happily. "You are one of the most boring young men I had the opportunity to be around with."
He shook his head in shame. "Your parents aren't around most of the day, sometime even being away for the entire day, and what I find from your library is..."
"That you don't have a porn stash!"
I frowned in confusion as the man started to chuckle at his own words, my left eye twitching in annoyance at the attempt of his to find anything remotely connected to 'lewd stuff' in my room.
"But let us talk about something a little more… serious," Azazel resumed with a tired sigh, as he carefully sat on the bed, avoiding to crush my poor stretched legs.
"Your little fun fight, the one I caused out of boredom and immense fascination for the development your presence at the Church caused, brought up some interesting questions I now have about your current abilities and… your identity," He took in his hands my wallet and looked at the ID card here. "You see, I am fairly sure that you are a full-human, your parents are humans… and yet you can use Holy energy, pure one at that."
...was that so unique? I thought someone else would have-
"Oh? You don't even know why is it important?"
I flinched at the sudden interjection, almost caught off-guard by it.
"Your face is currently a window to your thoughts after getting this much beaten and coming to crash down on the cold floor of some ruined church. That was a fall of more than 10 meters," The man hummed quietly, then he stopped another search around the room to continue. "By the way, the worst of your wounds should be gone in a few hours from now. Your biology has quite the quick regenerative power-"
He stopped at my questioning wide eyes and smiled.
What was he talking about?
"Yep, you're quite different from what a normal human should be," The old man admitted with a nod. "The holy energy present in your body is slowly improving your entire being- nothing that could turn you in an Angel, mind you, there are too many differences between you and a pure-blooded Angel, but you still got some perks that some humans can't just reach on a normal basis."
Azazel sighed and patted my leg, getting a hiss of pain out of me.
"Jeez, that much sore?" He inquired curiously. "Well, I guess that could be caused by being that much suicidal."
I felt my features hardening as he gave me a strong and stern look, an unnatural sight to be bestowed by someone that was usually incredibly laid-back with people.
"That was stupid- no, even worse than that. You almost died."
Flinching at the cold words, I was still subjected to this unexpected lecture as I was quite sure that Azazel had never displayed this much sternness around someone. And the worst part that I was technically a 'nobody'.
It was odd and… somehow upsetting.
"Your reserves were close to fully dry up," Azazel listed up with a quiet humming. "Your body was collapsing at the pressure and I had to employ the help of some old associates to get you in stable condition."
The man stared silently right onto the bandages applied to my body, then he looked up to my face as if trying to push the point deeper in my brain.
"You were throwing your life to just get a draw," He pointed out curtly. "One that was admirable mind you, but a silly and senseless one at best," The Governor-General sighed tiredly. "And… that made me consider something."
I blinked and he snorted at my confusion.
"You are dumb and inexperienced but you have potential to become someone important in this mad world," The Fallen Angel explained with a softer tone, a small smile playing on his face. "The kind of potential that, if carefully groomed, can bring you to achieve some impressive milestones."
Was he going to- No, that couldn't be it.
There was no way in Hell that Azazel himself was going to get me in Grigori.
Sure, the organization was a hub for anyone willing to side against Hell and Heaven (albeit formally considering the state of the factions' relationships).
"I know that you're the informant that revealed the plot Kokabiel is concocting as of now," He stated with undeniable certainty in his tone, causing me to look shocked at this certainty. "You made a great service for Grigori and, while I can't offer you much, I do think you would benefit to work with us."
What the-
"But not as a full worker," The leader of the group interjected suddenly, detailing his proposal. "I wish to have you as a… part-timer. Someone for minor missions and then, maybe after few years from now, as an associate affiliated to us."
I blinked, contemplating this offer in its entirety.
If I joined even part of Grigori, I would have to deal with long missions, face some big threats and… be sent away from Kuoh, possibly ruining my chances of keeping my general cover about my knowledge and interest in developing my abilities.
Still, the risks were worth some neat rewards as Grigori did have some brilliant teachers and many were researchers with a penchant of developing modern-based spells and magic-related technology.
"And before you ask- yes, we will have to first train you up before sending you in real mission," He snorted and shook his head. "As if I would send you, an inexperienced idiot with these suicidal tendencies, to fight for us in an official job."
I narrowed my eyes at the insults, starting to get offended by this easy-going skit he was trying to pull here.
"And I will also add up the premium offer of being trained by me, the grand and majestic Azazel, for a few days!" He proclaimed with unrestrained glee, then he sighed. "Just the time I will be there in Kuoh and then I will have someone else assigned to deal with you."
Someone else? And he wants to train me?
While one would easily accept at this point, the gains that I would receive from such offer way beyond what I could normally achieve on my own.
I was quite wary of being my butt-kicked by Azazel and given a full-treatment of his usually-abrasive personality, but I was pretty much sold at this point despite that unpleasant development.
The man might mean good things, but knowing that he did train Vali and the Host of the Vanishing Dragon appeared in Canon way over-powered already, I was aware that I was going to be suffering through those days if I said yes.
...Yet the benefits were still interesting as I would gain an edge for the incoming fights and prepare myself for the show's biggest threat.
By fighting Raynare this early, Gods know how much I twisted the current timeline because… the Chaos Theory.
Conflicted but somehow determined to not deny myself the little chance of advancing my growth even faster, I let out a single but careful nod, a gesture more than enough for the leader of Grigori to smile at and take it as a 'yes'.
"Good! Then I will call you… tomorrow morning to address your new schedule and… I think we are done for now."
He stood up from the bed and moved towards the door.
"By the way," Azazel stated with a small smile.
Oh Gods, what does he want now?
"While you were sleeping a young man and a cute girl decided to pass by and I think one of them is the owner of the Booster Gear, correct?"
I nodded again and his smile widened a little more.
"Well, I let them in and they are waiting outside."
He opened the door and the man left while waving back at me, letting the two visitors enter moments after.
Issei and Asia walked inside and stopped to stare at my current state, the young man's eyes widening as he tried to formulate any sentence, while the young nun gasping at the scene.
"Senpai!"
Goddammit! Now I have to deal with them worried kohais too…
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AN
I hope that I didn't disappoint with the fight as usually I am not that good with them. I am fairly rusty in pacing them but I have some mental images while writing down so… maybe.
Also, did anyone notice that Raynare wasn't killed? I wonder what will happen now to her.
…
Muhahahahahaha!
Chapter 6: Fleeting Normalcy
The shining morning of this new day started with what was looking to be a particularly normal day in my life.
Now that Raynare and her group had been taken away from Kuoh Town, and with my cover remaining intact during and after the ordeal I had to face yesterday, I was ready to get few hours of relieving normalcy.
Planning to go at the Academy after my brief round of sickness, one of my main priority was to check and see how things had been going at the Student Council while I had been away.
Well, it was actually 'mostly normalcy' as I still had to give a tour around school to a thrilled Asia.
The blonde had excitedly explain how the strange but kind man (read as 'Azazel') told her that he would have had some words with the principal of the Academy to see her enrolled in the same year as Issei.
While the news might have been happily accepted by the brunet at the idea of having such a cute girl around, I had to be the one breaking to them about some issues that will surely appear immediately with this development.
In the show it wasn't never mentioned what degree of education Asia had when she arrive in Japan, nor was said if she did frequent or not any of Catholic private schools that children in Catholic-owned orphanages were supposed to go.
Thus the first question I decided to ask he was what her last school experience was before being excommunicated. She had to ponder a little bit about it since the Italian school system was completely different from the Japanese one, but I managed to get a positive response.
First year of Lyceum.
The Italian Lyceum was technically the commonly-known high school in Italy, and so that meant that she was going to skip only a year worth of studies by being in the same course as Issei.
Not something truly dreadful to fae about but also something that was going to require some adjustments in the girl's homework for the sake of making her catch up with her soon-to-be peers.
And that was going to be a somewhat easy job thanks to my position within the School Council.
The foreign girl was humming happily as she continued to walk close to me, listening to the various information I was providing her about the school and the various sections of the buildings owned by the Academy
"So Issei-san is subscribed to the Occult Research Club," Asia inquired quietly. "Which is made by the other members of the peerage he is part of?"
"Correct."
I nodded and gave her a small smile back at her own.
"Rias Gremory is one of the two owners of Kuoh's grounds by Devils' laws. The other one is the current Student Council's president, Sona Shitori," I continued with my explanation. "Her real last name is 'Sitri' but she wants to be addressed either as 'Sona-san' and 'Shitori-san'. Since I'm part of the Student Council, I've to address her as Sona-taichou."
"Sona-...san. Okay!"
I was having a really hard time keeping the urge of patting her head right away, knowing that this was actually hindering my current job of helping her around. She was just so adorable, making me pray for said cute feature to never be weaponized and used against me.
After almost ten minutes of walking around and giving Asia a full look of how the Academy looked like inside, we both reached for the door that led to the classroom she was assigned to.
"Remember to not get distracted by Issei during the lessons and to take notes, no talking mid-lecture- Also, if Motohama and Matsuda try to do anything remotely perverted, say 'no' and get Ise to tell them off, okay?"
She nodded, a determined expression in her face that just conveyed all the cuteness someone like her could muster.
I blinked when my hand unconsciously went over her head, causing the blonde to look in surprise the moment it start to pat her golden locks. "But also remember to be at ease around the teachers and to indulge in asking them for help."
Her body tensed in surprise at the encouraging words, her eyes glowing a little and then- my own eyes widened in shock as I found myself with her arms wrapped around my torso, a giggle left her lips as she concluded the brief hug.
"Thank you for helping me around, Senpai," The girl squeezed tightly. "I do appreciate your kindness and support."
I chuckled. "Just avoid trouble, Asia-chan, and you will be super-fine."
A last round of giggles left her lips before she moved towards the door, knocking at it, and waiting for a response.
At the invite from the teacher to join inside, the former nun nodded and waved quickly at me as she finally entered inside the classroom.
I waited a few more moments, sighing in relief the very instant the door closed and I decided that it was time to go back in my own classroom.
I wonder how things were going for Rias now that she wasn't going to have Asia as her Bishop.
This divergence was going to leave her and her team dreadfully weaker compared to the Canon Peerage, especially when she will have to face Riser in the Rating Game.
Still, I was fairly sure that by having Ddraig more active so early on in the story and with Issei actively training with his mentoring to unlock the boy's untapped potential earlier than in Canon, would be more than enough to rebalance and even improve the current standing of her peerage in terms of raw power.
Sitting by my usual chair, the teacher started with the roll call as he would usually do at this stage of the day. I took out my notebook, a black-colored pen and my English textbook, ready to calmly go with what was supposed to be a normal day at the Academy.
But it was right as I looked up from my desk to give attention to the teacher's writings on the whiteboard, that I noticed almost instantly something very concerning.
Rias' cerulean eyes darted away the very moment she noticed that I was looking her way, my mind instantly screaming at the fact I had managed to catch her interest for some reason. I tried to not focus too much on her efforts to hide away what had just happened, turning my sight back to the teacher…
And found out that Akeno was still staring at me despite her King's uneasiness to glance at me.
While this would have been chilling because of her personality and all of the shenanigans it would have brought me, what truly made her stare the most dreadful to endure was the lack of her usual smile.
Instead she was giving me an analytical look, studying me from afar and…
That didn't bode well with me.
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It was by the official room of the Student Council that I found some relief.
I had to think properly how to deal with this newfound issue created by the fact the Gremory's heiress wanted something from me. And I was unsure of what it truly was.
The idea of her wanting to 'recruit' me was already off the table, knowing that Sona wouldn't want the redhead to have a hand in her group of all places. Even through I wasn't in her peerage, the short-haired girl was quite protective about everyone in the Student Council, especially those that respected loyally and faithfully her orders and capacity of decision-making.
I sighed tiredly as I signed another piece of paper off to the side-stack, while Tsubaki, sitting right beside me, silently continued doing the part of work she requested to help with.
Having been absent for two days now from dealing with Council's duty, there was quite the stack of paperwork to go through and the Vice-President had decided to offer her help in dealing with all of it.
The bespectacled girl took this time to explain what had transpired in the last two council sessions which I had been unable to attend, while also asking how I spent the time at home while resting away at home.
I had to present a modified story of the 'grocery encounter', glittering around with some little lies to not make anything too absurd or worth of suspicions, but the girl seemed to accept the story I had given her, quite surprised to learn that I had met the newest addition of the school in such a casual way.
Half an hour of dutifully braving through the large workload of three days later, I found myself smiling at the undeniably impressive result managed today.
I gave a quick but meaningful 'thank you' to Tsubaki, the second-in-command nodding at the praise and giving a small smile as she eased up a little in her chair.
Just as I hoped for this being what I was going to be how I had to spend the last hour here at school today, an unexpected knocking by the single door interrupted the activities within the room.
There was a brief pause as we all exchanged some glances about what to do.
Currently in the classroom were Reya, Ruruko, Tsubaki and me.
The first two were formally my assistants, but generally helped around every major member of the council. Slowly gaining some experience, both girls were still unable to fit a proper position with the limited Council's roster.
They were currently trying to put some cardboard boxes inside one of the lockers within the small storage area connected to the classroom, stopping as they heard this sudden muffled noise and almost tripping on each other as they were carrying one of the larger boxes.
Sona was currently busy with some meeting with the administrators of the school, thus leaving only us in the Council's room.
I blinked and decided to take some action by speaking up. "You may enter."
With the permission granted, the door slowly opened and Rias Gremory led the trio made by her, Kiba and Akeno inside the room, her eyes directly fixed on me as she started to made her way by where I was sitting.
"Sakakibara-san," The redhead greeted with a quick nod, the others deciding to let their leader speak this time around. Which conveniently helped me a lot since I had to deal only with a single individual instead of three.
"Gremory-san." I returned the greeting politely, waiting for the young woman to speak… and so she did with a certain degree of confidence in tone.
"I wish to talk with you about Asia-san."
There was that smile, the smile that felt like the world here in Kuoh had to bend to her way. I don't hate nor dislike Rias, it's all about her over-confident behavior she got before the Raiser's Saga that left me quite wary and annoyed of the fact I was forced to talk to her.
Thus my frown deepened and I let out another curt nod. "Sure, what do you need to know about her?"
And while I looked the perfect example of calm to those looking my face, inside my mind a storm was slowly brewing. A maelstrom of thoughts and theories about the ongoing discussion seeming to be far from positive or good for my side.
But still, I decided to see where this was going and let her speak freely, restraining myself from rebuffing any effort from her part.
"I was thinking of having Asia-san enlisted to the Occult Research Club. I did ask her about the possibility but she seemed adamant to not join it and..." Her eyes narrowed softly. "You were the last one to speak to her and-"
"Are you seriously saying that I would, for some reason, order her to not join a specific club, Gremory-san?" I stopped her with a stern voice, my eyes narrowing at her. "Are you possibly trying to accuse me of something of that sort?"
My tone was glacial and the hesitation from Rias at the strong front I was putting against that indirect attack seemed to show that the redhead wasn't as prepared as she looked to be in confrontations of this kind.
"I-I was referring to the fact you might have said something that could have been badly-interpreted."
My boiling fury kept bubbling as I continued to maintain a stern expression about this ridiculous situation. Emotions would turn problematic at any chance of dealing with this kind of people, and I couldn't just afford that in my current predisposition.
"Asia-san asked if it was truly necessary to join up a club so early on in her presence here at Kuoh Academy, stressing out that she would have liked to have to get hold of her classes and see how to deal with them without having any other situations weighing over her head," I continued calmly but strongly. "I reminded her that as per school rules, 'students at Kuoh Academy have a maximum of 2 months to decide to join or not a club'."
Her eyes widened at my explanation, and she looked unsure about how to continue the discussion without showing herself in the wrong.
Of course I did mention that it was best for the blonde to enter her club, as if I wanted a God-devoted girl to be deprived of the chance of grasping at her metaphysical crutch.
Because, as much as I wasn't much of a Church's believer, I was one that understood that everyone needs to have someone to pray at when they were at their lowest.
Without tangible support, Asia directed her prayers to someone that was 'unquestionably good' and 'that would never turn His back at her'.
But what would happen if this girl ended up joining the ORC?
She would be pressured to become Rias' Bishop since she would be vulnerable as a human being in a group of devils would be, and she would have to then be deprived of the means to call upon her own solace, her Lord.
And there was also the fact that she, like any other devoted Christian with a rank below Bishop, was completely unaware that God was dead.
I know it was wrong to keep lying just like that since there was something of a duty to be honest to someone as precious as the girl... but I also knew that it was very important to keep her from learning about this disastrous news in the heat of a fight by Kokabiel of all people.
I decided to be the one that will eventually tell her of this, but this would have to happen once I was sure that she was prepared to find a fall back for her hopes in someone like Issei or me.
It might sound selfish but… if I had to choose between breaking her heart like that during a battle or in a place and time where she couldn't think properly about this, I think my answer is as clear as a cloudless sky.
She needed time to settle down, and I was going to grant her that silent wish.
Just as the redhead seemed ready to continue with this hopeless situation despite the lack of foundation, I felt the phone I had left in the left pocket of my pants starting to vibrate, notifying me about a new message.
Slowly, I picked the small device and checked whom was it and…
I frowned at the content of the short message and the name of the contact that sent it.
Goddamn it, Azazel.
"Tsubaki-san, I think I will have to go now," I muttered quietly. "It was a message from the teacher that is giving me the late lessons I've mentioned you about a couple of minutes ago."
The bespectacled girl blinked at the sudden situation but managed to keep her calm as she gave a nod, an understanding glint shining in her heterochromic eyes.
"Then I will take this situation off your hands," The Vice-President stated with a nod as she turned her attention to the trio. "As Hoitsu-san has just finished to explain, his role doesn't allow him to-"
I walked around the envoy and waved at the other two girls in the room, both smiling and nodding my way as I walked out of the door.
But just as I closed the door behind me, I felt a strange sensation suddenly disappear.
It had felt like I was being watched by a predator-like animal, as if someone had truly showed a degree of raw interest that put me in a state of uneasiness until that very moment. And I also felt as if something or someone had tried to reach from me while I was going towards the lone entrance to the classroom.
I glanced back and shivered.
What was that?
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Deciding to not indulge the blessing that allowed me to take a hasty retreat away from dealing with this odd situation and to face the planned encounter with Azazel.
I proceeded to walk towards the school's entrance, sure that at this time of the day most of the students that weren't doing club-work were already out of the Academy.
And yet, as I walked out of the glass doors, I noticed a short figure waiting there at the end of the stairs. Golden eyes turned my direction as Koneko glanced right at me as she continued to stand there, holding with both hands behind her back a familiar test-paper.
I blinked and, as much as she was trying to appear calm and restrained, I could see that a small smile was now twitching on her lips. It didn't take a genius to understand that the little Nekoshou had managed to get a good grade out of yesterday's test.
And my assumption proved to be correct..
As we walked through the streets of Kuoh Town, the younger student decided to tell me more how her test had gone and when she received the results.
It was surprising to see someone that was usually as stoic and reserved as Koneko speaking this much happily and in detail about something that had happened to her.
Surprising and very adorable.
The girl didn't spare any brief moment of emotions from showing on her face and in her words as she revealed so giddily the '99/100' she had successfully gained in the Math exam.
"I never got this high of a grade before…" She admitted happily while holding the paper. Her tone was incredulous at first, as if she was dreaming all of this and she couldn't believe it was actually the truth.
"Preparation is the key of success, Koneko-san." I replied with a small smile of mine. "When you give your everything in preparing for a test, you will be scoring some good grade out of it."
The girl considered my words and then hummed in agreement. "But I have to thank you for the support, senpai." She walked quickly in front of me and stopped, causing me to stop too. "You helped me and… I am thankful."
It was tame, but I wasn't expecting much from it. Yet I decided to poke a little at her current attitude.
"By the way, I hope you received some other congratulations," I said with a small smile. "That was certainly an achievement for you and I hope you got some rewards out of it."
She frowned and blinked confused. "Rewards?"
"You know, the classic 'you did amazing', 'Since you have been good, I will buy you some candy-'"
"Are you offering to buy, senpai?" The white-haired girl interrupted with a strange glint in her eyes. "I know a place that sells-"
"I don't have money on me right now, Koneko-san, I am sorry."
She deflated at that development with a sad note appearing on her face, a flinch-worthy scene. But instead of letting her remain this saddened, I decided to sprung into action to try and mend the mistake.
The girl tensed up a little, much like Asia did earlier that day as my hand patted her head. I expected her to react badly, maybe even pummel me right away if I had mistaken her signals and appeared to be too aggressive with this action, and yet…
Koneko didn't reply at first, abandoning herself to the head-pat for some seconds. Then she sighed.
"W-Why?"
There was a light stutter, a very adorable one too.
"I think you did good," I replied without hesitation. "You put yourself on the test and got one of the highest scores possible. That is nothing to scoff at and, once again, good job, Koneko-chan."
The young girl slowly turned around and looked up right at me.
There was a minor blush in her cheeks and her eyes were wide open.
"You..." Koneko started, her voice lost after few moments of careful head-patting. "You aren't going to tell anyone about this, right?"
A quick but decisive threat. "And I get to reward you like this from now on?"
She didn't reply, trying to pout a little at my 'price' but failing to hide some hints of genuine happiness appearing on her face.
The situation lasted five more minutes and we parted for our respective ways, my hand still feeling quite fuzzy at the fact I had head-patted someone so adorable.
Today was sure looking up great for me!
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I've jinxed myself. Again.
The first training session with Azazel was supposedly an 'introductory' one, something that was just meant to prepare me with the kind of hellish nightmare I had to go through with was going to be the first steps in a new lifestyle.
The man had offered a brief schedule about the three days he was going to spend by teaching me about… everything that came up in his mind. It sounded fairly disappointing from a certain perspective, but Azazel was someone that had plenty to teach about even without a truly coordinated idea.
The standard session was structured in a simple pattern:
First, we had training with swords as the Fallen Angel wanted my skill with the Lightsaber to be top notch. The sword itself had been handy to attack Raynare in yesterday's fight, but I've used it so badly that the Governor-General himself had to point out how pathetic my swordsmanship level currently was.
Then there was Magic training, which was a mix of exercises to increase my already-growing Core in raw magical potential, learning new spells and practicing what I had learned during spars. It would be the most important bit of the lessons since I had long decided to give a major focus on the magical growth…
Yet the final part of the training got me confused, doubtful, and somewhat interested enough to give it as much attention as Magical training. The last section was in fact focused bare-handed fighting, something that I was completely ineffective about as I had little experience about close encounters and... the man did have some mad experience about being close and personal against people.
But while said regime looked fairly simple in terms of the planning, the truth was completely the opposite of this idea.
When practice started, I felt the need to shiver… and there was a good reason for it.
The leader of Grigori had come prepared for the occasion, bringing in more than forty small bottles with a clear green liquid in those.
Azazel was quick to reveal that those were very expensive health potions called 'Tears of Phoenix', something that was sold primarily by the Phenex family.
Kind of a dreadful reminder of the things that would have to happen in a month from now.
The reason of the insane price was based on the fact that those could heal quickly, erase bodies' fatigue, recharge Magical Cores to the fullest, and that multiple potions can be used repeatedly without facing any dangerous after-effects.
A powerful thing that ended up being the main tool of my tortured mind for the next four hours hours of utter pain I had to go through with the first session.
The Governor-General wasn't holding back with his punches, nor was he with his sword's strikes… and his magical nuking. And there was a lot of nuking happening around the training room.
Something did seem to change for the best for me the moment I was left to and practice about two new spells he had left me to learn. Light Mining and Light Barrier.
The L. Barriers created cushioned shields between the attack and the caster, giving me some edge in either deflecting or block some of his attacks while I tried to lure him by making use of the Mining spell.
Obviously, it was a minor improvement compared to a couple of hours earlier but, as the fist-fight resumed for the 33th time, I managed to get some dodging done while hitting his guard more than once.
It was refreshing and would have been awesome if…