Gaming Badly in DxD

-Zatren Fumigami-

‘’Nervous?’’ A voice said.

I turned my head and gave a shrug to the owner of said voice, Rias. Who was putting away the notes and rehearsed strategies that we were planning to use for tomorrow. It was just a last-minute check.

At first, the whole thing didn’t seem as doable, but each day that passed proved that it would work out. When we got a little faster, a little stronger. Small, tiny improvements in physique, magic, or creativity. All of it piled up into our ‘grand plan’.

I thought about Rias’ question. My fingers played and twitched along the armrest of the couch. I didn’t move as a new weight was added to the piece of furniture, nor when I felt a sudden warmth of skin against skin as one of my ‘Kings’ cuddled up against my side. I only gave a little smile at the action before answering.

‘’Excited, actually,’’ I admit, and it was the truth. ‘’All this hard work. It’s a lot more than I ever trained. The last good fight I had was with that Fallen-Turned-Dragon, and I was much weaker then. Not even really qualified to be called ‘Mid-Class’.’’

I can feel my grin getting bigger, and the anticipation eats away at me. Only subdued thanks to knowing that the fight I’m eager for is a few hours away. I didn’t sleep. I couldn’t, really. Was this a result of my constant search for getting better? Or am I just eager to see how much I’ve truly improved?

Maybe I’m just an adrenaline junkie. I don’t know.

‘’You know,’’ Rias starts after a small silence. ‘’Most people won’t be that eager to face down the ‘Immortal Phenex’. Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for finally getting rid of that contract and shoving my hard work into my parents' faces, but I don’t really like how this ‘plan’ you came up with involves you facing down Riser on your own. I, as the King, should also be at the very least helping you out.’’

Rias stared at me with what I believe was her best attempt at acting stern. Kind of difficult to pull off considering she was clinging to my side and burying her face in the neckline of my shirt.

‘’Sure, but what about Ravel?’’ I ask, and that question alone makes Rias deflate. Even the ahoge on the top of her crimson hair flattened against her head –which, kind of weird but adorable, to be fair– and that brings us to our utmost worry.

One Phenex was already a pain to deal with in Canon, that’s true. Now, two of them? That’s just unfair. Unlike in the show, Rias is a full-blown adult, and that made the Rating game and official one, instead of just a way to make the marriage contract go away.

Shouldn’t that also mean that she’s able to break the contract on her own? Well, yes, but actually no.

You see, the contract was agreed when Rias and Riser were but mere children. So, it’s legally in effect even if both of them are adults now. Here’s the thing: if both parties wanted to break up the marriage, then it could be resolved in such a way. Just a few exchanged words, the head of one of the families present to see that the contract is officially void, and everyone is happy.

Reality is not that simple.

Rias is all for ending the contract, but from what she told me, Riser is very much against it, not because of some sense of pride or possessiveness. Nothing like that.

For one Riser Phenex, the political and social standing of his house is everything. That also means basically following his father’s every whim, or trying and make him proud. So, that’s where the problem lies. Riser is doing this entire thing out of duty, in the name of the Phenex House.

Could we have come to a better agreement? Maybe if Rias didn’t outright insult Riser’s pride and honor during their last talk. But, in a way, this is the very out that the Phenex has agreed to. A fight.

That is the reason for believing that Ravel will also fight instead of standing around and doing nothing. I don’t know her personal opinion or the pride she has in her own bloodline, but if I remember correctly, she doesn’t stand on awful terms with her own brother. So, even if she didn’t care, she would probably fight if asked by a very determined, very duty-oriented Riser.

Silence reigns in the room. I sure bask in it. Just the sound of our clothes rustling against each other. Her soft breathing and my fingers tapping against the armrest. It’s easy to see that Rias is slowly lulling herself to sleep. Satans know she deserves it the most. If there’s a ranking of how hard we’ve been pushing ourselves, then Koneko and Rias share a comfortable 2^nd place. Only behind myself.

Yet, even as she slowly falls asleep, Rias looks at me. Tired, yet happy blue eyes with curiosity behind them. ‘’Then… What about if you lose?’’ She asks, and I can’t help a stupid smirk from appearing on my face.

‘’Nah, I’ll win,’’ I say with complete confidence.

-X-x-X-

-Serafall Leviathan-

I got up from my desk chair and made a big stretch, all the way until I felt that satisfying pop of my joints. Finally, some free time.

I had to do more work than expected. Even pulled more than a few all-nighters to not miss this. And while sure, this wasn’t So-chan’s first rating game, it was still Ri-tan’s first! Not only that, but Za-kun was there too.

So, in a way, my dear little sister was participating in spirit, since she shared a Rook with the crimson-haired princess~

‘’Let’s see…’’ I took just one more look at the paperwork relating to the most recent skirmish we had against the Grigori. Sure, that ‘church incident’ may have been made by rogues, but that lazy bum of Azazel should still have his minions on line.

Mhn~ It’s going to be fun when he actually reads this crap and finds out that he has a child. I can already imagine.

With a flick of my fingers, the documents were neatly put in a folder, which was then shoved into a drawer. I’ll give it to my Bishop tomorrow. Hell knows that girl needs some time off after the last document dump I put on her shoulders. Taking a break is not cheap around here…

A little grin crossed my face as I made my magic staff appear. It reached up to half of my body, a sleek, pink pattern of little serpents splayed into it. Then, the top part was crowned with a spherical shape that had the form of a deep blue star on a purple circle.

Of course, it has a pair of tiny bat wings, too. It has to be accurate~

With a twirl of the piece of memorabilia, a sudden burst of light fills the room as my boring, black, and grey working clothes disappear immediately. I relish the feeling of the air against my skin as the glow envelops my breasts and hips first, as if it were a piece of cloth.

I giggle as the magic tightens up around my perky curves. Only for it to be replaced not a moment later with a pink and blue crop-top and an equally pink, frilly skirt that barely reached to my mid-thigh. I took a simple gaze in the mirror before winking at it and reading a magic circle on the ground. Nice and ready to go spectate that little rating game.

‘’Za-chan better make it interesting. I didn’t take this time off for nothing, you know~?’’ I complain to no one as the teleporting circle gets ready. ‘’Well, Ayu-chan was giving him a few lessons last I heard. I wonder how that goes~’’

The fact that woman was interested in anything else that wasn’t her own research was astounding in and of itself. I was almost tempted to tease her about finally finding herself a romanceable route, but the joke would probably fly so high over her head that it would reach Gabriel above.

Still, the mere fact intrigued me greatly. Now I also want to see how far along Za-kun has gone from that last showing. Here I was, thinking that maybe he would cash out on my help to get some practice with his water magic. I am Serafall Leviathan, you know?! Hmph!

Without further ado, I teleported away.

-X-x-X-

‘’Ta da~! Magic girl Levi-tan has arrived!’’ I exclaim.

Without even looking around the room, I can already hear a small, pitiful whine that sounds way too much like— There she is!

‘’Ah! So-chan!’’ I can’t help the smirk as I suddenly appear beside the clearly embarrassed girl and give her a big, sisterly hug! ‘’Did you miss me? Ah, what a silly question, of course you did~!’’

Ah, Tsu-chan, Sona’s Queen is here too, but she stepped just out of hug range~

The little show of affection isn’t (only) to express my totally normal levels of affection for my dear little sister, but also to feel the presence around the room. And to say the least, I’m quite miffed to not be the last person arriving. What about my dramatic entrance by coming fashionably late?!

Sitting on a table with way too rigid a posture is Lord Phenex, sitting alongside his wife. It’s no surprise to see them around, considering their third son is the one competing, but there is one person who I’m surprised is here.

Ruval Phenex, a young, barely a 100-year-old Devil who’s quite the figure to not only the youth, but an iconic picture of high-tier rating games. That is without considering the luscious, blonde locks falling up to his mid-back and the intense blue eyes that differ from his family by being only a few shades darker.

He also tensed up at my arrival, but easily calmed down, and even showed to be slightly amused himself. But I do wonder about the reason for his sudden appearance. It’s not like the third son of the Phenex hasn’t competed in any rating game before. 10, to be precise.

There’s, of course, Zeoticus and Venelana. Ri-tan’s parents. Unlike the Phenex, they didn’t even budge from their seats, only paying attention to the currently dark screens that would project the Rating Game, which had a small wheel with bat wings and a little caption saying ‘waiting for the game to start…’

I may have surprised them one too many times if they are this used to my little show. Either that, or they are way too focused on seeing their daughter’s resolution.

They were fooling no one, by the way. I half understand Lord Gremory, worrying about Ri-tan’s conviction of actually becoming the future head of the household of Gremory. Either she swims and comes out victorious, or she sinks and has to fulfill the marriage contract.

On the other hand, Venelana? That woman is ruthless. She may care and worry for her children, but she’s 100% in for the marriage to happen anyway, no matter who won. It was just that much of a political and economic advantage to be married to a Phenex. Discounted prices, priority for any important worker or family member in their state, where healing is concerned.

I was no newbie when it came to things like political marriages. My own parents would have tried that with me if we weren’t in the middle of a Civil War back then. They did try it with So-chan, but my dear sister is way too smart for any of those silly games~

Hm? Oh, now this is interesting…~

From a magic circle on the ground, two magic circles appear. One is very much the newly designed one, for the one with the title of ‘Strongest Devil’ and ‘Satan Lucifer’. A crimson circle with an inverted pentagram, with two points facing upwards.

It’s mostly a modern design, turning the holy or ‘protective’ symbol that a regular Pentagram may represent, and flipping it upside down. The two points facing up are meant to represent horns. Specifically, the horns of a goat. Another mostly modern symbol of Satanism.

I think it came up around a century or two ago? I don’t specifically remember the date…

From within it, the big man himself; Sirzechs Lucifer, steps out. I take a small moment to nod in appreciation at the fit. With a long vest and purple cloak that covers his front and back entirely, alongside two bone-like protrusions made of gold that accentuate his back.

His gaze scans the people around. When his eyes meet mine, I send a good-natured salute. I would make a little twirl too, if I weren’t busy hugging (read: smothering) my dear lil’ sis~

He returns the gesture with a polite nod and a smile, because of course he would. You don’t fool me, Sirze-kun. You’re the worst of the four of us Satans when it comes to following up the extremely formal and stuck-up ways of Devil-kind politics~

Sirzechs then makes a beeline directly to his parents. Making sure to let his presence be known. Yes, Sirze-kun. We see the fit.

Still, the arrival of Satan Lucifer wasn’t what I found interesting. It was expected, actually, that he would show up at the first Rating Game of his dear little sister. I would even say that he was more displeased with that pesky arranged marriage. I know, because I would be too if I were in his shoes.

No, the most intriguing part was the devil that stepped out of a flashy, green circle. The design is one of a decayed, dissected fly. Primarily associated with Gluttony and Envy. And who comes out is none other than the current Beelzebub herself~

I release my sister from my crushing grip. Rolling my eyes as she takes a deep breath. I wasn’t hugging that hard!’ Before skipping up to the surprisingly tidy devil. Instead of her green hair being loosely tied and messy, it stood brushed, nicely done, and tied into a bun, with some extra hair falling down her back.

Hell, her eye bags looked lighter than usual, too!

‘’Ayu-chaaan! Now, I wonder what you are doing here~?’’ Immediately, I grin as Ayuka’s eyes zero in on me, and immediately become dull, probably died a few times in the process, as she recognizes the smile on my face. ‘’Hey, hey. It couldn’t be someone in specific I’m thinking of, right? Surely, you wouldn’t slack off on your very busy schedule to watch over your unofficial student, riiiiiiiight~?’’

The effects were immediate.

Ayuka’s posture straightened up completely, making my eye slightly twitch as she practically towered over me, while also making her rack jiggle slightly. Seriously, I’m not one to lack in size, but dear Ayuka here would make any woman feel insecure.

‘’Serafall…’’ She spoke. Her gloved hands twitched, and she straightened her glasses. Even making that stupid thing of making them shine, so I can’t really look at her eyes. ‘’I may as well say the same to you? I believed it was Sircechs’ sister that was competing, not yours…’’

I scoffed and shook my head with a shrug, looking up at the lab rat with fake contempt. ‘’Ah, but you see. Za-kun is out there competing, and he’s part of Sona’s peerage too. I should at the very least root for my sister’s Rook, right~?’’

The smartest devil’s expression suddenly turned impassive, and I clicked my tongue as her little tricks clicked in. ‘’You’re no fun…’’

‘’I do not know what you mean, Serafall.’’ Ayuka now said with a nod. Yet, her now visible eyes expressed a hidden sort of amusement. That’s still cheating, you know?! Using laws and whatnot to hide your embarrassment! Foul play, I say! ‘’Besides, is it that rare that I would wish to see my… student’s progress from up close?’’

Ah, so you admit it! You’re aiming for a young, defenseless, and innocent boy like Za-kun! It’s grooming! Grooming, I say—!

‘’Oh, it’s starting.’’ I promptly turn away from the big-tiddy, definitely not grooming Devil. The reason is that the screens finally decide to load up as the game is set to start.

I raise an eyebrow as the arena is revealed. Instead of the usual landscape with two castles, there stands Kuoh’s academy. Completely empty of people. Principally, the camera focuses on the small, forest-like area surrounding the school, which acts as the ‘boundaries’ of the arena. Then there are the two main buildings: the old school building and the new one. Lastly, there’s the gymnasium, which acts as the middle ground between both structures.

The Phenex and Gremory family, which up until now had been making idle chatter with their sons, suddenly tensed up. All previous voices were dying down in favor of paying attention to the fight about to take place.

A magic circle of the Gremory House pops up in what I recognize as the Student Council room. From it steps out Grayfia Lucifer, better known as Satan Lucifer’s wife, and carrying the title of ‘The Strongest Queen’.

Along with her, the third son and the only daughter of the Phenex step out. I pause and smile at the look on their faces. I certainly expected a lot less interest, maybe some cockiness, but no. Only two High-Class devils, frowning in concentration.

Of course, it doesn’t need to be said that Riser’s full peerage also comes into view. His Queen –Yubelluna, I believe– latches onto his arm calmly enough, which seems to take some tenseness out of the man’s shoulders.

Grayfia doesn’t stay long before disappearing and reappearing in another circle, placed in a nicely furnished room a mere moment later. This time, it was the Gremory peerage that stepped out. All wearing Kuoh’s student uniform except for Za-kun himself, who is wearing a long, fancy coat with a blue spear on his side with a tear-like design, the only thing informing of its quite distinctive status being a fiery reddish gem that rests barely below the spearhead.

Mhm, right. That strange Sacred Gear. I remember So-chan asking me about whether there was any kind of report about one such as this. And while there’s certainly been some Low-Tier Sacred Gears in the form of simple spears, there’s not a single one that has a being sealed within.

In fact, I don’t believe there’s any Sacred Gear with a being inside that is below Longinus status, outside of the separated Vritra Fragments~

Still, the spear isn’t the thing that suddenly caught my attention, no.

‘’Is that a child?’’ Lady Phenex asks below her breath, and I have to wonder the same thing. ‘’Never mind that, but I believe that little girl isn’t registered as one of the young Gremory’s peerage members?’’

Surprisingly enough, it’s Ayuka who answers. ‘’That is because she isn’t. Instead, that is a familiar. Specifically, that is Zatren Fumigami’s familiar; Gremory’s Rook.’’

I restrain myself from doing a spit-take. That little girl is the spider?!

I mean, I’ve seen some weird things before. Hell, it’s not uncommon for familiars to end up with a human form, but if I remember correctly, it not only has to do with the strength of the ‘Master’, but also with the species of the creature. Maybe it was some kind of special spider? I never asked how he got it, and had only seen the arachnid once or twice before…

Rei is now let down from Zatren’s back. It’s only now that I notice her long, black hair reaching all the way to the ground. Not only that, but the strange marks on her skin look like some kind of ritualistic tattoos, too.

Za-kun pats her head, and the little girl gives a minute little grin. ‘Aww! Look at that cutie! I bet she would look so cute in a magical girl outfit! Rei-tan, the spider girl! Maybe he’ll let me dress her up if I ask?’

Grayfia disappears from the screen and suddenly appears in the viewing booth with us. Yet, before she can even give the usual speech and start the Rating Game, Ayuka steps up, making the silver-haired woman stop. Grayfia’s eyes widen minutely at the appearance of the Satan Beelzebub, but she recomposes quickly, thanks to years of experience, and bows slightly.

‘’Lady Beelzebub. Is something the matter?’’ She asks, and even I give a curious look to my old friend. What’s she planning?

‘’Ah, no need for formalities, please,’’ Ayuka starts while nodding in greeting before turning to the screens. A shiver goes down my spine as she gets that intense, almost crazed look when her eyes land on the screen currently showing the Gremory peerage talking among themselves. Their words are unknown, since audio isn’t shared until the game properly starts. ‘’If it isn’t much of a bother, may I be the host of this Rating Game?’’

All of the heads in the room turned. The silence is so thick that it couldn’t be cut with the strongest of knives. Truly, I didn’t think that Ayuka’s interest would go so far as to not only take time off her investigations, but to try and host the Rating Game herself. I did acknowledge that Za-kun was quite the interesting individual, but I may have to take a closer look, because this level of interest is almost ridiculous.

Well, if anything, this event will show me just how well inverted that time is.

Finally, Grayfia reacts instead of just staring in befuddlement at the genius of devil-kind. Without hesitation, she steps away from the screens, allowing full access to the creator of the Rating Games herself. ‘’Of course, it’s no problem at all, Lady Beelzebub.’’ And of course, she ignored the part of ‘no formalities’. Classic Grayfia~

‘’I appreciate it,’’ Ayuka says as she steps forward.

A magic circle appears in place, and suddenly, audio from the participants is now available. Yet, their voices are silenced as Ayuka speaks loudly and clearly.

‘’The Rating Game between the House of Gremory and the House of Phenex has now officially started. Instead of the usual ranking system that all official Rating Games have, the purpose of this one is related to the contract made by both houses to join the Kings of each peerage in marriage.’’ Ayuka starts. ‘’For this reason, the arena in which this match will take place is one that is of advantage to the Gremory Heiress, since she doesn’t have a complete and full peerage.’’

‘’The game will end when one of the Kings falls, or once the moderator –that being myself– decides if the results of the match have been going on long enough for it to reach a winner.’’ She takes a deep breath, and a scary, manic grin covers Ayuka’s face. ‘’I, Ayuka Beelzebub, declare this Rating Game started!’’

Murmurs I didn’t care about started to break out around the people in the room. All the while, I started as almost immediately, Ri-tan’s queen, and Za-kun stepped out of their base. To my surprise, instead of going out to plant wards as it was expected, Za-kun does a pose, with one arm pointing upwards and the other crossing sideways.

‘’From this vessel, I summon…’’ He spoke. Then, a cracked, crimson wheel with an emerald green gem in the middle manifests on top of his head.

A powerful yet oddly feminine voice resounds as the object appears. ‘’Boost!’’ I blink, once, twice, and thrice for good measure. That… can’t be right. He has two Sacred Gears?! His spear and… a Twice Critical? But why is it—

Then, Akeno gives a nod and a smile. Making a magic circle appear before blasting Zatren’s entire body in a sea of flames.

…

‘’What the actual fuck—‘’