Gaming Badly in DxD

-Sachi Genshirou-

‘’Is… Is that really okay?’’ I ask and immediately wince while staring out the window.

There, Himejima-senpai is absolutely laying fire magic after fire magic into Boss’s face. Not only did it looked like it hurt a fuck ton (if his cursing didn’t make it obvious), but there was a certain smell of something burning… similar to fish? Like, roasted salmon or something…

‘’Mother, why is Father letting himself be burned to a crisp?’’ Asked the spider— Uh, the spider turned girl? Spider girl? Ah… I’ll just call her Rei. ‘’Fire is scary.’’

Toujou-san, who had her tail and ears out and was also staring out the window, turned to Rei’s question. Yet, even as she went to answer, her ears were pointed outside, and her tail looked frizzled out. ‘’That’s because ‘Father’ is a weirdo, Rei.’’

Such ruthlessness! Boss is doing this to win, you know?! Not because he enjoys it!

‘’Hm.’’ Even through my mental dilemma, Rei nods at her ‘’Mother’s’’ answer. Her eyes stayed on the scene of Zatren trying to make himself resistant to fire, to constant and extreme, yet controlled exposure.

‘’Extreme methods aside,’’ Rias, The Boss Lady, interrupted, even though her face looked incredibly uncomfortable as she looked away from the door and addressed the room. ‘’Koneko, Asia. I need both of you to put wards in the surrounding forest. Our side of the arena is very much exposed, and we don’t want any Pawns sneaking in the thicket to get a free promotion, do we?’’

Very much not! The Queen is basically the strongest piece on the board. There are 8 Pawns in the opposite team, and even half of those promoting will give us a lot of trouble. At the same time, if I were to promote, considering I had 4 Pawns, would I have the strength of 4 Queens at the same time? That’s like… 4 Akeno’s!

‘’…And you, Koneko. I would like you to remain in the forest. Don’t even bother pulling up illusions, sense them out and finish them as fast as you can, and re-group. Riser won’t risk that many Pawns at once. At most, there will be two or three of them.’’ The cat girl nodded as Rias turned to me. ‘’Sachi, do you know what you have to do?’’

I blink, and resist scratching my head as I notice that I droned out half the conversation while thinking. Well, no matter, I already know what I need to do! ‘’Yes, Boss Lady! Leave it to me!’’ I saluted, noticing Rias’s awkward expression.

All I had to do was kick ass and protect the Boss… And the Boss already protects himself very well!

-X-x-X-

‘’What do you mean you won’t be able to interfere?!’’ I ask nervously. At the same time, Zatren and I make our way to the gymnasium.

After the Boss Lady gave her instructions, I waited as Zatren’s Second Sacred Gear (and wasn’t that unfair, I only have the one, you know?!) spun two times. After the second spin, Akeno’s flames barely ‘warmed up his face’ if I take his word for it. Which I did.

Himejima stayed behind to rest for a bit to recuperate from the whole lot of Demonic Power she used to make Zatren’s adaptations happen. I haven’t seen Toujou, but she’s probably patrolling the forest, and Rei… Well, I don’t really know what Zatren and Toujou’s surrogate ‘daughter’ is doing right now.

Kiba was ordered to stay behind in case we needed a fast response, since he was the second fastest on the team, only behind Rias herself, and maybe me if I managed to fill up the ‘tank’ of energy I can steal with Absorption Line.

I say second fastest because the boss just casually dropped a verbal bomb of the highest caliber! On my first, real fight, I’ll have to fight what is probably a mini-squad of that Phenex dude on my own since he has to ‘get something ready’!

‘’We literally talked about this yesterday,’’ The boss states, and I blink. ‘’You go in, stick one of Absorbtion Line’s tendrils to me, and funnel me all the energy you can while I get the first part of our plan ready, remember?’’

Ah… That’s right. The whole ‘super powerful’ thing that Boss plans to use on the other team’s King. I immediately go to scratch my head as Zatren gives me the flattest stare I’ve gotten since the Student Council president gave me an earful about ‘proper dress code’. Seriously, what’s wrong with unbuttoning the blazer? It’s way too tight!

It doesn’t help that she looked even madder when I said that…

‘’Sachi, it’s a very good thing that you are all brawls, because brains aren’t your forte.’’ Zatren nods with a tiny grin.

‘’Thanks, I do my best… Wait.’’ I return the smile with a thumbs up… before actually understanding what he said. ‘’What do you mean ‘brains isn’t my forte’?! I—‘’

‘’Shush. We’re here.’’ He interrupts.

And sure enough, I turn, and directly in front of me stands the back door to the gymnasium. It’s really uncanny how the whole place looks exactly like the school grounds. Guess that’s devil magic for you!

I immediately grab the doorknob and grin as it opens perfectly. No awkward sound of old metal against rust, and it wasn’t locked either, lucky~! I can never get this thing to open discreetly when I want to skip out on P.E. theory. Seriously, what’s the purpose of that?!

As we step inside, I’m all for going directly to the middle of the handball field and starting this already. Yet, the boss puts an arm in front of me, while looking nowhere in particular. At first, that is, because he immediately zeroes in on… nothing? There are only a few pieces of random equipment lying around.

‘’Your illusions are ass. Come out now.’’ Zatren says.

Then, all of a sudden, instead of a few loose items, there are three members of the Phenex peerage! Two girls with turquoise that looked like middle-schoolers wearing a white shirt and blue splats. Similar to Kuoh’s female gym uniform. The third member was that black haired girl with the Chinese dress that revealed way too much to be practical.

‘’We expected the other Rook…’’ The left twin said while rummaging through a blue backpack.

‘’Plain foiled.’’ And that was the right twin, who was doing the same but with a red backpack.

If I remember correctly… the twin sisters are Pawns? And the other…

‘’Ah, I remember you!’’ I exclaim while pointing at the woman that I know identified as ‘Xuelan’ ‘’You’re the chick that got her ass beat by the Boss!’’

For some reason, the serious expression on the woman’s face changed into a furious snarl. Her whole body tenses as she steps forward. And that’s when the entirety of my training kicks in.

Immediately, I assume a low stance. One hand close to my face, while the other stays at my side. Quickly enough, Absorption Line manifests, and one of its tendrils shoots immediately in Zatren’s direction. Connecting to his chest. But it immediately ‘disappears’ right after.

It’s at that moment that the man himself spoke. ‘’Wait a minute.’’ For some reason, the movement in the room actually stops, probably thanks to the sheer bafflement in Zatren’s tone of voice. ‘’You were waiting, in an illusion, for arguably the best member we have at sensing people out?’’

The question makes me blink. Well, if you put it that way…

With no instantaneous response from the three enemy pieces, Zatren simply sits down on the floor. Probably to start making his whole plan with the magic circle thingy he spoke about. His spear rested in that blue form that he said was for ‘regeneration’, and a whirring sound indicates that the Wheel on top of his head started to move again.

Yet, he didn’t start before saying something that made me crack a grin.

‘’Sachi. These three are dumbasses. You can take them.’’ The sheer confidence in his voice was something to be admired. As expected of the Boss!

‘’How dare you!’’ Xulan exclaimed. Clearly enraged by having the truth thrown in her face. ‘’I’ll crush your little friend here and then I’ll have my rematch! Don’t believe I’m the same as when we fought last time!’’

Could that have even been considered a fight if it was a one-hit K.O.?

Just at the same time as I get ready for confrontation, the other two girls pulled chainsaws from their backpacks, all the while having big smiles all around— Wait. FUCKING CHAINSAWS?! Who the hell allowed this?!

Immediately, Xulan dashes to me, and my first instinct is to cover my face. Instead of her solid punch meeting my cheek, it hits the circular gauntlet on my arm. Yet, even while blocking, my feet skid across the floor as I’m pushed back.

The cosplayer in front of me looks smug all of a sudden, but… the hit didn’t feel that strong. What?

I’ve no time to ponder as I’m jumped by two little girls with deadly tree-falling tools. One of the twins swipes at me with their revving chainsaw, but instead of blocking, I sidestep and immediately clock a right hook directly into the girl’s side. Sending her back with a little present.

‘’Ahg!’’ The girl screams as she comes to a halt. Clutching her side. I don’t have time to check further as I get my arm grabbed by the other twin. The teeth of the chainsaw suddenly came directly at my face.

I curse as I plan to use my little trick early, but before I can, I feel a pressure on my back coming from the Phenex’s Rook as she strikes me with an open palm. It wouldn’t have been a problem if it hadn’t sent me directly into the chainsaw’s path.

‘’Shit!’’ I put Absorption Line directly in the line of the attack, but the coverage in my arm isn’t perfect, so I wince as the teeth of the tool-turned-weapon bite at the skin of my arms. Yet, instead of the instant mutilation I expected… I got a few light cuts?

Not only that, but the strike on my back from Xuelan doesn’t really hurt. ‘No, that’s not right. It does hurt a bit, it’s just that…’ I frown, looking directly at the angry twin with the chainsaw and the ever-growing cocky expression of the Chun-li cosplayer. Surprisingly enough, the other twin hasn’t even gotten up. Painfully clutching her side while her weapon lies discarded on the side.

‘’Had enough, little Pawn? Better call your friend now to help you.’’ Xuelan brags while reading her stance. One palm is half-extended while her body goes low. The other palm rests at her side, slightly pulled back. ‘’Truly, that he believed a weakling like you can take on all three of us… He must have you in great esteem. A shame then, that you’ll fail to deliver.’’

Ah, I see. My training… It was really exceptional, wasn’t it? Thank you, Boss.

‘’Sorry about that,’’ I say, genuinely sorry, actually. ‘’I must have gotten too used to playing on the defense. Toujou-san and the Boss hit a lot harder, after all.’’

I raise an eyebrow as Xuelan’s face drops. Her frown deepened. Instead of the furious remark I expected, she suddenly looks cautious. Well, she’s the stronger of the two remaining… So, the first one is…

Looking at the remaining twin, she’s half paying attention to me, and half staring back at her sister with clear worry. I could understand. I too, would be worried, even furious, if I saw my little brothers getting injured like that. So, that’s why…

A faint glow covers my body, like a pale, greyish mist.

That’s why she has to go first.

My legs stiffen as I feel the surge of power, and all of a sudden, I’m blitzing through the Rook’s side. Her eyes widen, but her gaze doesn’t land on me, only where I was, telling me that I’ve managed to go faster than she can perceive me, even if only for a moment.

I clock the arm holding Absorption Line back, and the fist lands directly on the remaining twin’s chest. She’s sent back, and I wince as her body absolutely ragdolls and smashes against the gym’s walls.

CRACK. The sound of falling debris hits my ears, and a shower of golden sparks hits the twin that is embedded in the wall. A voice, calculating and serious but distinctly feminine, resounds across the room.

‘’A Pawn of the Phenex Peerage has been retired.’’ It was the announcer. One of the four leaders of Devil-kind!

…That also means I messed up. I was supposed to leave her barely standing, not beat her completely. ‘’The Boss Lady will be mad…’’ Well, probably not, if everything else falls into place.

‘’Sister!’’ The panting twin shouts as she finally gets to her feet. Her face is trembling with rage, but her legs are shaking. ‘’You…!’’

‘’How…?’’ I turn to the shocked tone of voice. Xuelan looks on with a bead of sweat rolling down her face. ‘’You’re a Pawn! Not even promoted! So, how?! I didn’t—‘’

‘’It’s starting to get hot…’’ I say, not really paying attention to her words. Instead, the school uniform starts feeling restraining against my chest. Did I sweat through my bindings or something? I take a deep sigh, seeing the breath turning into vapor. This is what I don’t like about this glowy thingy! ‘’Let’s finish this fast.’’

I rush once again. This time, Xuelan is ready. That’s something I learned while training. Even if I’m faster thanks to a burst of speed, there’s no way that a more experienced fighter doesn’t see me coming, and since the surprise factor is gone…

My left arm clashes with her raised palm. The impact made a gust of air rise up, managing to blow my hair out of the way. That just felt like punching a concrete wall. Yet, even as my fist throbs, I can tell that she felt that too by how she flinched.

That happened before, too… Are they just not used to pain?

I don’t let it all be said by one punch alone. Another breath out, and I’m connecting fist after fist against her raised guard. Xuelan shows her experience, however. As she parries or blocks my fists. Even delivering some of her own.

The hits start taking a toll, and I can feel that misty glow slowly fading, but I can still keep going!

‘’Haa!’’ I scream, aiming directly at her face.

Yet, A glowing red palm hits my chest first. It felt hot, and it was with reason, as the fiery palm burns through my uniform and sears the flesh of my chest. The hit was stronger than the last ones.

I wheeze as the air is blown out of my lungs. ‘’Tsk… You were wide open.’’ The Rook says.

I cough. Sweat pours down my face as the mist vanishes. Yet…

‘’You were, too.’’ I croak out with a smile. Her confusion tells me everything I need to know! With a clench of my fist, three thin lines make themselves known, one was the first I connected to the Boss right at the start of the fight. It remained inactive and made itself incredibly thin.

And the other two? Connected to the shaking Pawn that just now managed to get her weapon to work, and the confused Rook.

‘’Do your thing, Absorption Line! Energy is Shared!’’ I shout, and the lines turn a bright purple. Not only that, but they become big enough to be clearly noticeable. Yet, before the pair of enemy pieces can do anything…

‘’Ahg! What’s this thing?!’’ Xuelan exclaims with a painful shout as her body glows with a dark, reddish energy. The remaining twin shouts too, but her words are too garbled to understand.

The sound of an electric current makes itself known as Absorption Line drains the woman’s Demonic Power. Then, with the sudden surge of energy, I throw more purple strings at the Rook, even circling around her to tie up her arms with the draining power of my Sacred Gear.

She curses and struggles against the restraints, but that only makes them suck out more energy, resulting in the woman hollering in pain once more!

‘’That’s more like it!’’ I shout out as my body regains strength. Even the previous burn on my chest fades away!

Yet, that’s when I stop sucking out energy for myself. Instead, the third line activates, and the tendrils start sending all the Demonic Energy coming from the twitching girls directly into Zatren.

This won’t take them out of the game for a while either. With all the help from Himejima-senpai, I managed to make it so I can choose to drain stamina or magic— Well, Demonic Power, in this case.

Which is why eliminating the other twin was bad…

‘’Sorry, Boss!’’ I say, but I get no answer. Expected, really.

Now that I have time to focus on Zatren, he’s sitting down in the middle of the gym, with closed eyes and hands against his thighs, as if he were meditating. He didn’t look disturbed even as I fought with the three other pieces.

That wasn’t the most impressive part, however. Instead, there’s a blue glow spreading from where he’s sitting down a while ago. It was small before, but now with the two enemies serving as batteries, it started to grow in size much quicker.

It kinda looked like water slowly growing into a puddle in the middle of the floor… Well, that, but magical, or something.

Now, it’s only a need to wait until these two get eliminated via lack of Demonic Power or falling unconscious. Mn, what was it that I needed to say now— Ah.

I tap my ear, unmuting the magic circle on it that lets us talk directly to the Boss Lady. We didn’t connect with each of us so as not to distract each other. Yet, I smile now that I can say.

‘’Three more moves until the trap springs, Prez!’’

-X-x-X-

-Koneko Toujou-

I waited, bored, sitting on a clearing in the middle of the small thicket surrounding the old school building,

The waiting left some time to think. Specifically, about what to do after this whole thing. ‘’I’ll… probably drag Senpai to buy— No, to make me some chocolate. He should be able to do all that tempering thing… right?’’ Hmm. Tasty food is tasty, and chocolate is the tastiest of them all.

Especially since our… recent activities. I’ve been craving some sugar. More than usual. Probably to regain all that’s lost on getting pounded into the mattress.

My ears twitch, and I look in the general direction of the gym. It was only a few minutes ago when Beelzebub-sama informed us that a piece from that stuck-up cockatoo was retired. And now? There was a huge, magical presence that felt exactly like Senpai’s.

‘’He really is a monster.’’ I nodded. What a ridiculous amount of magic condensating in just one place. Truly, if he had managed to properly use his Life Energy during training, we may have as well sent him against all 15 members of the Phenex peerage.

Sadly… I found that I don’t do very good as a teacher. Senpai got slightly better, but not anywhere near enough to actually use it to fight. I could already feel my tail tucking itself on my waist and my ears drooping at the fact—!

I turned to the side. There they were, finally. I thought with that Pawn down so suddenly after the game started, that they would actually back down.

‘’Koneko, do you hear me?’’ Rias’ voice springs from the communication spell. ‘’Did anyone step into the forest?’’

‘’Mhn.’’ I hum. ‘’Loud and clear. And yes, there’s three people that just came in. All weak. Probably Pawns.’’

Was the flaming chicken planning to just sneak into our defenses, or is he playing it to Rias's inexperience?

Well, it’s true that any enemy Pawn promoting would be a bother. Not like it will help them much.

‘’We confirmed hostility from one Ravel Phenex; Riser’s little sister and the only other High-Class Devil on their side,’’ Rias says, with a stone-cold tone, and my body goes rigid at her next words. ‘’She discovered Rei when she was scouting. We don’t really know how, but I believe it’s something related to the Phenex proficiency with Wind magic other than fire itself.’’

‘’Give me a minute,’’ I state as my eyes look directly at where the three women’s life energy is. ‘’No. 30 seconds. I’ll be right there.’’

My fists tighten up. Senpai’s magic power is not the only thing that can be felt from a distance right now. Senjutsu answers my will as my fists erupt in blue flames. I can feel my own tail bristling, and the flora around feels more vibrant all of a sudden.

That bitch dared touch my daughter?

In mere seconds of movement, I’m already directly in front of the three girls as I practically tore through the forest around. One or two threes may have been in the way. I think, as I hear the clear sound of wood hitting the forest’s floor.

‘’N-nya?!’’ One girl, a Nekomata with turquoise wearing blue boxing gear, exclaims.

Along with her, there’s another Nekomata that looks very similar to the first girl, only that she’s wearing red boxing gear and has pink hair. Probably sisters, if I had to guess. Twins or not, I couldn’t care less. The last member was a Black haired woman who had her hair tied in what looked like the worst pineapple-hair example.

…And she was also dressed like a hooker. No, a belly dancer? Whatever it was, she wore a loincloth that didn’t hide her legs or even her waist and hips at all. And instead of actual armor on her stupidly big jugs, she wore some stupid bra made out of metal with some swirl-like designs. It wasn’t even good fantasy armor.

I’ll know, considering how many times Rias roped me into her daily anime-watching sessions.

Besides the downright slutty armor, she wore a headband with a ruby attached to it and a necklace with a round amethyst.

I wonder. Taking into account that flaming chicken they call a King is pretty smart himself. Do these people have some sort of stupid battle-kinks, or are they really just a very personalized harem?

‘’You!’’ One of the Nekomata, the one with light-blue hair and navy blue gear, points at me. ‘’You better get ready! That pro-meow-tion is already ours!’’

Hm?

Suddenly, their bodies shine. Dammit! They must have been closer than I believed to the old school building. I thought they had to actually enter the building to promote!

From their bodies, the form of a fiery orange Pawn piece glows out. All of a sudden, all three pieces change. The pink-haired sister changed into a horse-like structure, but only the neck and head, a knight. The cyan-haired sister changed into a tower-like structure, a Rook. And finally, the hooker— the belly dancer changed into a cylindrical shape with a round head and a slit in the middle, a Bishop.

And... All of them felt weak. Stronger than before, but weak. Not only that, but are they just idiots? Why did they not turn directly into Queens? Are they too weak to handle the strain?

‘’Nyahaha! Get ready for—‘’

‘’I don’t have time. Fuck off.’’ I interrupted one of the sisters before the blue fire that was my fists extended out…

And promptly lit the clearing ablaze. Engulfing all three of the newly transformed Pawns.

-X-x-X-

-Yuuto Kiba-

The highly armored woman swings her blade –a saber, considering the curved blade– but I manage to safely parry the strike and make her weapon swerve to the side. ‘’Haa!’’ Leaving her open for a counter.

An ice-cold mist wraps around the opposing Knight as Tundra, a sword made entirely out of demonic ice, appears in my free hand. The mere moment my regular longsword touches her hastily raised guard, I point the newly formed Demonic Sword at her chest and blast her away with a wave of frozen ice.

If only that were the end of it…

‘’Are you alright, Rei-chan?’’ I ask as I side-glance the little girl.

She was wearing the clothing that the students of the Kuoh Middle School branch wore. A blue skirt with a white, buttoned dress shirt. Yet, now that same clothing was scorched and outright non-existent on her left shoulder, where the worst of her injuries lay.

Even so, the girl’s face remained stoic, if annoyed. Those tattoos also helped to paint quite a scary picture.

‘’Rei is alright.’’ She says.

‘’One Rook and Four Pawns of the Phenex peerage have been retired.’’ The voice of the announcer states.

Almost immediately after the retirement of the opposing pieces, a burst of magical power made itself known. Then, the entirety of the gymnasium was covered by a bright, blue barrier. That could only mean one thing…

Only two more moves until the trap springs.

A sense of ease washes over me, but it doesn’t last long as the roar of thunder resounds from the sky, followed shortly after by resounding explosions. I only catch a glimpse of a pair of black wings along with white, scorched clothing crossing the air, while sparks flood the sky.

With our plan of Rei infiltrating Riser’s base foiled, I got here as quickly as possible. Not only I, but Akeno, Rias, and Asia all followed suit. The reason is simple: with Koneko being able to sense anyone trying to sneak into our base, there was no risk in leaving.

That brought another problem, however…

‘’As expected of a Knight of Gremory. You’re quite talented with that blade.’’ The armored woman stated as she stepped into view once more. The frost from my blade flaking off her armor as her curved sword was enveloped in a soft, swirling wind. ‘’Allow me to introduce myself. I’m Karlamina, Knight of the Lord Riser Phenex, and I challenge you to a duel between Knights!’’

I paused for a moment before nodding. ‘’My name is Kiba Yuuto. And as you said, I’m Gremory’s Knight. Sorry to say, but—‘’

‘’Are you starting with your weird kinks again, Karlamina?’’ A rough, yet feminine voice asked. Interrupting me in the process.

My eyes narrow as another woman walks into the fray. This one was dressed in black leather, like a motorcyclist’s suit. Her light, brown hair was styled short, and half of her face was covered by a shattered domino mask. If I remember correctly, this was one of Riser’s Rooks, and the last one remaining.

I’m starting to see that our opponents dress quite… exotically.

‘’Isabella.’’ The Knight said, giving a side-glance to her ally. ‘’The blonde Knight is mine. You better not interfere.’’

‘’Ha?! And what do I have as an opponent then? The little child?’’ The newly identified Isabella replied, indignant.

Without moving, I took my chance to concentrate on Sword Birth. It’s kind of a waste to use this move on only two opponents, but any number of enemies we can take down is good. Yet, before I could trap them both, they seemed to come to a decision.

‘’Fine! I’ll take the kid. For fucks sake…’’ The Rook said while zeroing in on Rei’s form. She cracked her knuckles, and I even through the half-mask, I could tell that she was annoyed.

‘’Then it’s decided! Hope you’re ready, Kiba Yuuto!’’ Karlamina said, and that’s when I noticed a spark of flame coming from the hilt of her blade. Immediately, her saber –which was already covered in wind– ignited into a fiery tornado. Even the Rook recoiled as she stepped back from her companion, cursing under her breath. ‘’Haaa!’’

A typhoon of flames was thrown in our direction, but that was perfect.

I hastily stabbed Tundra on the ground, making sure not to ‘drop’ the sword as that would activate its secondary effect. Then, I made another weapon, one I was getting awfully familiar with as of late.

The Root sword appeared in my hand, and I pointed it directly at the fiery storm as it washed over me. The fire threatened to swallow me and the spider-girl currently behind me. Yet, the flames flickered against my skin and never reached Zatren’s familiar.

‘’Sorry. But I have no intention of accepting a duel right now.’’ I say, and it’s the truth. ‘’You see, if I let little Rei-chan get hurt because of something as simple as ‘honor between Knights’, Zatren-kun will leave me in a hospital bed.’’

The flower of Root got bigger with each passing moment, and just like that, the entire magical attack was swallowed by the sword. All of its magical energy is now being used for my benefit.

‘’Another Sacred Gear?! It wasn’t only that ice-like blade?!’’ Karlamine exclaimed. She was wrong, but I wasn’t about to correct her and give away my tricks.

Honor has its place. A battlefield isn’t one of them.

‘’Isabella, Karlamina!’’ Another voice shouted. And this time, more than one opponent appeared.

Three women. Two were dressed in French maid outfits. Both are holding strange weaponry in the form of giant scissors. The last one was a blue-haired girl with a wild, weird haircut, and dressed up in a red kimono. Her weapon was a traditional bo-staff, but it looked well-made.

Suddenly, the whole place shook as incredible amounts of Demonic Power were thrown around. The only thing that looked immutable was the blue barrier in the distance. Instantly, I knew the reason for their sudden interference.

‘’Riser-sama and Ravel-sama are currently in a duel with the Gremory Heiress!’’ One of the maids, the one with brown hair, stated. ‘’We must finish these pieces before more arrive!’’

I grinned. It was a good plan. Unfortunately for them…

‘’Kiba-san! Rei-chan! The cavalry is here!’’ An energetic voice called out.

The opposing peerage’s faces fell immediately as Genshirou made herself known. Her body glowed with the energy taken by her Sacred Gear, but not only was she present. An intense aura that promised broken bones appeared along with the roguish girl.

Koneko cracked her gloved fists. Her face is completely cold as her tail bristles. Energy pouring out of her form in waves.

As if that wasn’t enough. Rei, not wanting to stay idle, proceeded to join the fray by transforming. Her entire lower half and even some of her upper part, into that of a monster. If I remember, ‘Arachne’ was the term that Zatren used.

I grabbed Tundra from the ground and then proceeded to shove the entire magical power of Root to overcharge the sword. As the plant-like sword broke itself apart and turned to dust, the other sword in my hand glowed with energy. Even my hand felt awfully cold while holding its handle.

We stood in silence. It was a total of three Pawns, one Knight, and one Rook on their side against one Pawn, one Rook, a Familiar, and one Knight from ours.

Then, Koneko spoke. ‘’Out of the way, trash.’’ And immediately pierced the opposing Rook’s guard. Who, oddly enough, didn’t look as excited to fight as before.

-X-x-X-

-Rias Gremory-

‘The fight is dragging on.’ I thought, even as I extended one arm and blocked the flames sent at me with a magical burst.

Even so, the embers licked at my hands. Probably first-degree burns. And while they weren’t crippling at all, this was starting to get annoying. So, the moment the flames flicker, I concentrate on the black, almost in between liquid and gaseous formation that is the Power of Destruction.

The orb shoots directly at Riser. Half of his head is blown to bits, and even what remains starts getting corroded and turned into dust thanks to my bloodline’s power. Yet, a fiery storm envelops him from the neck upwards. The fire of the Phenex slowly constructs itself into the shape of what his head looked like. And just like that, he’s practically brand new once more.

‘’It’s pointless, Rias.’’ Riser states with a frown. The clash of thunder and explosions resounds around us as we stand face-to-face on the rooftop of Kuoh’s Academy. ‘’You and your congregation have reached far. I honestly expected this to be a one-sided beatdown, but I was wrong.’’

‘’You were wrong alright.’’ I state, stone-faced.

‘’Two Pawns of the Phenex peerage have been retired.’’ Lady Beelzebub says. Making me grin.

Even now, from the corner of my eye, I can see Akeno and Riser’s Queen exchanging magical blows. We were right in assuming that the Queen was the one holding onto one of the Phoenix Tears. Sadly enough, we were too late to take the vial away from her, and with Ravel and Riser covering for the ‘Bomb Queen’, she managed to re-invigorate herself.

The fact that they still kept fighting managed to fill me with pride. Not only had Akeno used a good amount of Demonic Power to help Zatren with his ‘adaptation’, but she was giving trouble to Riser’s Queen even after she recovered back to full.

Then, on the other hand, was Asia. Which, while slightly battered and shining a faint green –indication of healing herself with Twilight Healing– was still managing to keep two pieces in check.

A wall made of stone blocked the massive sword of Riser’s wild-looking Knight, only for Asia to disappear in the debris of the attack and fling a powerful vortex of wind at the kimono-wearing Bishop.

To think that my peerage. My family pushed themselves so hard in these two weeks to not only match, but overpower the experience that Riser’s little harem had. I couldn’t be more proud if I wanted to.

And as their King, I did not lag behind.

Ravel Phenex, as smart as she was, seemed to fall into complete disarray the moment she needed to fight instead of just bark orders at the other pieces. That’s why, the moment I saw her open her mouth to try and help their Knight and Bishop, I readied a magic circle and blasted a wave of pure, magical energy directly at her.

‘’A Rook of Riser’s peerage has been retired.’’

‘’You do not seem to understand, Riser,’’ I say, grabbing the attention of the man. He came to this duel with total confidence, and his tactics would have surely worked had it been any other peerage. But not us. ‘’This? It is the culmination of our hard work. Your flames may make you immortal. Surely, you and your sister will be massive obstacles for us, but the rest of your pieces are not as resilient as you two.’’

The harsh truth dawned on Ravel’s face. Of course, she caught on the fastest, but her brother wasn’t far behind. They were strong, yes. The regeneration was also a massive issue. But there are a variety of ways to beat a Phenex. You could blast them with enough firepower and make it so they have nothing to regenerate, and holy-based powers could halt their healing factor in its tracks.

But there’s another way.

Mental exhaustion. You have to beat them so many times, make it seem like there’s no hope for them to win. That won’t stop the Phenex Trait from regenerating their bodies, but their minds? That’s not something they can easily regenerate. Especially considering that while experienced, Riser and Ravel are closer to our age than to truly experienced members of the Phenex House.

Wings made of orange and red fire sprout from Riser’s back. His entire body gets covered by flame, and he dashes directly at me. In the last moment, I put up a magic circle to protect myself.

CRACK.

The circle cracks, but Riser stops in his tracks. I grunt, and the magic circle glows. Not only was it for defense, but it doubled down as a counter. Riser realizes too late as his entire body gets blown to pieces once more.

While he regenerates, I take my own shot at his sister. ‘’Ha?!’’ The girl sputters and readies a wave of fire, way too late. I grab onto her frilly, European-style dress and throw her into the air.

Her flames sputter out as her eyes widen. And I make sure to give my best smile as I point my hands upwards and blast her entire body with pure magical energy. Adding in a bit of an explosion for a change.

BOOOOOOOM.

I pant. Turning to look at the newly regenerated, but pissed off Riser. Probably due to the fact that his sister was currently regenerating after having part of her torso blown to bits.

That’s when I feel it. Conveniently enough, all happens at once.

First, it’s the usual tug a King feels when one of its Pawns achieves a Promotion. That means that Sachi managed to enter the building and make herself into a Queen. Then, the cackle of electricity and a strong smell of ozone fill the entirety of the air. From the sky, a purple-haired, scorched woman falls. That is, until a golden glow covers her entire body, and she disappears.

‘’The Queen from the Phenex peerage has been retired.’’ Lady Beelzebub says. If I dared to say, her tone felt… slightly different.

Then, it was a touch. No, more like a ping of magical energy. Turning my head, I saw Zatren’s barrier pulse with power. That meant that everything was ready.

‘’Akeno!’’ I called out. All the while, a massive magic circle appeared at my feet. Pointing downwards. ‘’The entire building! Don’t leave a smidge of it!’’

Riser’s eyes widen in shock as he looks into the air. There stood a battered Akeno. With her usually tied ponytail made a complete mess, and her Miko outfit torn and scorched thanks to the explosive attacks of Riser’s Queen. Exposing that, yes, my Queen does not wear a bra under those robes.

On her hands, a massive lightning bolt illuminated the distorted sky. A distinctive smile covered my Queen’s face as she licked her lips.

Fwooooosh. BOOOOOOM!!!

Then. My Power of Destruction and Akeno’s innate ability for thunder made contact. The entire building didn’t stand a chance, as wood, stone, glass, and everything in between were either scorched and burned or turned into dust.

A single move until the trap springs.

-X-x-X-

-Riser Phenex-

How did it come to this?

‘’One Bishop, two Knights, one Pawn from the Phenex peerage has been retired.’’

It didn’t surprise me that the remaining members of my entourage couldn’t withstand that blast. Hell, I could feel my own body taking its time to come back together as electrical tingling washed over my form. I already lost count of how many times I turned to dust today.

I gritted my teeth. Even so, no matter if I had to take them all down myself. I was not going to taint the name of the Phenex with such a poor showing. Screw that stupid marriage! Riser doesn’t care about it more than he needs to!

I scanned the battlefield after the dust settled. I could see that Bishop, the blonde with the Twilight Healing already making her way to her allies. Who, admittedly, looked far better than I would like. The only exception was the Pawn tomboy, who looked more exhausted than hurt.

Ravel wasn’t retired. So, like me, my dear sister should be regenerating from this massive attack. The good news is that they couldn’t possibly launch another blast like that in a short period of time.

The bad news, however…

‘’Where are you, Rias Gremory?!’’ I shouted. I, Riser, wasn’t one to lose my head in rage easily. But to say that this entire situation has been… less than pleasant. No, that would be the understatement of the century. ‘’Don’t think that Riser’s defeated yet! You think my resolve is so easily shattered? That Riser’s flame can be blown away just because the storm got a little fierce?!’’

‘’Not really.’’ A voice says, and I immediately turn around. There she stands. Part of Rias' school uniform was blown to bits, exposing part of her legs and even some of her underwear. Some kind of lacy red. ‘’But I don’t have to beat you, Riser.’’

I can’t help but be confused. Yet, a cold shiver runs down my spine all of a sudden. Now that I think about it. Where’s that Rook of hers?

He didn’t show his face in the entire game. And that dome, it couldn’t possibly have been him— No, it HAD to be him. Rias Bishop and Queen are both here. Who else among them would have enough magic reserves to actually power up that immense barrier?

Then…

It’s only then that I noticed. An entire minute has passed.

Rias's impassive face turns into a massive grin, and her body begins to glow with an intense, red light. One clear move that makes me hastily gather my flame into a massive sphere of fire. Immediately, I throw it to her. The fire heats up the air on its travel, and I almost feel relief, only for it to fall once the fire dissipates.

Where Rias once was, now stood a man dressed in a long, black coat. His hair was tied up in a sleek ponytail and falling down his back. On top of his head stood a crimson wheel with a beautifully shaped emerald, which was currently spinning, so very slowly.

One of his hands was comfortably placed in his pocket. Like he didn’t need to raise his guard at all. His remaining hand gripped a spear that made me recoil in disgust, but not by its appearance.

Sure, the weapon looked strange, with an entirely white colored aspect and what appeared to be a grinning, toothy face with red eyes looking directly at me from just underneath the spear tip. It wasn’t how it looked, but how it felt.

I failed to stop it. Rias managed to pull off a successful Castling. The move that let her Rook change positions with their King almost instantly, as long as she wasn’t ‘in check’. Which, after a minute of non-aggression, was easily doable.

‘’This was your plan all along…’’ I said. My fists tightened as I was played for a fool. Yet, did she actually believe that I would fall to her Rook, no matter how gifted? ‘’Are you for real…?’’

‘’For real, real.’’ The man answered with a grin as bat-like wings sprouted from his back.

I answered in kind. A fiery inferno covered my body as he made first contact in an impressive burst of speed. I extended my arms, but his intention wasn’t a strike. It was to push me.

Woooooosh.

I gritted my teeth as I felt something breaking against my back. It was incredibly solid, and I looked on as a barrier of blue light encompassed us. The Rook had just made me burst through the barrier covering the gymnasium. I could only stare and blow flames at point-blank range, directly on his entire torso and head as the barrier repaired itself, and my back now broke through the gymnasium itself.

I coughed, feeling a coppery taste in my mouth. Probably a pierced organ. A lung, most likely.

‘’So that’s your big idea?’’ My voice came out raspy. Confirming my theory that I had one or both lungs damaged, even as I felt the power of the Phenex putting them back together. ‘’Taking on me by your lonesome while Rias and the rest wear down my dear sister?’’

The Rook didn’t respond. It’s then that I noticed that the smile on his face dropped completely. Not only that, but the grip on that loathsome spear looked… shaky?

His glowing, golden eyes looked lost. No, hyper-focused would be more accurate. Like they were looking at everything at the same time. Even darting into empty air.

I tried to get a feeling of his plan, considering how verbose this particular Reincarnated has been the last time I saw him, I expected a bit more bark. Some kickback.

Then, blood dripped down his nose. Just at the same time, my regeneration healed my body completely. The stamina of our family was immense, and harnessed from a young age to make it match our body’s natural healing.

He didn’t even seem to care. Not of the blood now entering his lip and going past his chin, dripping on the floor. Or about the fact that I was back to prime condition.

‘’Answer me! Rook of Gremory!’’ I decided to finish this nonsense once and for all. The earlier I got out of this barrier, the better the chance I had of helping Ravel with the rest. With that in mind, I threw myself at the man with all the speed wind and fire magic could manage.

This time, I got a reaction as the black-haired man met my blazing fist with one of his own. Immediately, I stepped back, uncaring of the recoil, to dodge a sweeping arc of his spear. I clenched my fist, feeling the broken bones in it.

The wheel on the top of his head started to spin once more. His equally broken fist was already fixed, but splashed with blood. Yet, it was ready in an unfamiliar sign. I looked down, as the bright blue magic on the floor turned into… serpents?!

‘’Electrophorus!’’ He spoke with narrowed eyes. I covered my entire body in flames and made them explode outwards. Yet, that only took care of the first batch. Almost instantly, more serpent-like apparitions made out of water bit down on my arms and legs. ‘’Discharge!’’

I screamed, as the serpents— No. The eels shocked my entire body with lightning. I could feel every surface of my skin being practically cooked thanks to the shock. My muscles going rigid thanks to the electric current.

‘’BASTARD!’’ I shouted with another burst of flame, disintegrating the entire second batch and flying up into the air. The mix of fire and water generated a cloud of vapor in the entire room.

I conjured a vortex of wind to suck all of the mist, only to blow it out of a window. Completely disabling the possibility of the man hiding from my sight.

Yet, once the building was clear of mist… There’s no one? What?

‘From above!’ I thought and immediately turned around. Only to be met with an impassive face and cold eyes that looked through me. Both hands of the man were in a hand sign. All five fingers are touching each other, but only at the fingertips.

‘’Lacerate.’’ He spoke.

With both hands, I send a blast of flames to stop the grid-like structure made out of water. Yet, the moment both attacks touched, my eyes widened as my flames were cut through, and the remaining attack cut squarely into my chest and limbs.

‘’Gha!’’ I cough. Not only as I feel one of my arms being cut down by the attack, but as a kick buries into my gut. I blast his entire body with fire. I managed to burn away at his skin. Blisters and patches of scorched skin that he accumulated from the two instances I blasted at him.

KA-CHK. The wheel on top of his head snaps into place. And it’s only then that I notice his empty hands.

Where is the spear?

I get my answer the moment I feel something impaling through my back. The same moment we touch the floor with a loud CRASH. Smashing into solid concrete didn’t hurt as much as that accursed spear tip piercing through my flesh!

I scream. At the feeling of my entire body flaring up with pain.

‘’Last move. The trap is set.’’ Zatren Fumigami spoke, but not to me. More to himself. Even as his nose dripped with gushes of blood.

‘’Riser’s… not defeated.’’ I rasped out, and it was true. Pain was nothing unusual for a Phenex. Even if this was the most pain I’ve felt in my life. Even as my arm regenerated more slowly than it should, my spine and stomach were impaled. I won’t give an inch!

Then, the man looked at me. His hands are coming up in another hand sign. All of his fingers interlaced together, except for his thumbs, which only stood up side-by-side. Then, his words sent a cold feeling through my chest.

‘’Domain Expansion…’’ As he spoke, blood kept dripping down his nose. His eyes were shining. Only then, a smirk appeared on his face. ‘’…Mockery of The Dead Sea.’’

An intense, painful whistle filled my head. No longer was I staring at the Gymnasium’s roof. Instead, grey, angry clouds gathered in the clear blue sky. Rain started to fall, and a distant sound of thunder roared.

I got on my feet, painfully aware of my regeneration taking an awfully long time to finally put me back together. I wasn’t impaled on that dreadful weapon anymore, but there was no ‘ground’ either. Instead, an open ocean greeted me.

The waves roared. Moved. Angry and fierce. And in the distance, a creature emerged. Long and massive. Twenty- No. Thirty meters? I couldn’t tell, as part of its body was still submerged in the fearsome waves.

It was another apparition, but way too detailed. With thick, huge scales made of water that rippled with each movement. The beast opened its jaws.

RRRRROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAR!

My arms— my bones trembled in place. And two enormous, golden eyes with slitted pupils stared down at me.

‘’LEVIATHAN!’’ A voice screamed. A command hidden on the storm.

Then, the beast struck.