Three hours until the Rating Ga.
The team mbers prepared in their own ways—so stretched, others ran simulations, a few relaxed.
Miu, Asia, and Gasper chatted together, their light banter easing their nerves.
As for ? I was holed up in my room, studying demonology. My tutor had assigned howork, and I was scribbling away in my notebook. Never thought I'd get howork, but I needed to finish to watch the ga live.
"Let's see… Which of the original seventy-two pillars went extinct…?"
I vaguely recalled being taught this. Flipping through old notes, I searched for the page.
Knock knock.
"…Issei-senpai, got a minute?" ca a voice.
"Koneko-chan? Sure, co in."
The door creaked open, and Koneko stepped inside, approaching .
"…Excuse . What's Issei-senpai doing?" she asked, peeking at my desk.
"Howork from the Gremory tutor," I said. "Gotta finish it to watch the ga."
"How far along are you?"
"About halfway, I think. It's stuff I've studied before, so I should wrap up before the ga starts."
"I see," she said, settling into a nearby chair, staring at silently.
Was she nervous?
I paused my writing and turned to her. "Koneko-chan, you've got sothing to say, right?"
"…Yes," she nodded.
"For this ga… I'm going to use my Nekomata powers," she declared.
I blinked, caught off guard.
She continued, her voice steady. "…If I don't, I might not be useful to everyone. So I've decided to use them."
Her eyes burned with resolve, embracing the powers she'd once rejected.
"…So, um… will you watch use them?" she asked, her cheeks flushing as she fidgeted.
Goddamn, that upward glance was too cute! It stirred every protective instinct I had.
"No way I'd refuse you, Koneko-chan," I said. "I'll be watching you shine. So—go all out!"
"…Yes!" she replied, her voice brimming with energy.
Inspired by her determination, I made a suggestion. "Hey, Koneko-chan, how about I teach you so ki techniques later? Your kind excels at senjutsu, right?"
"Yes, but… you'd teach , Issei-senpai?"
"Yeah. My technique, Renkan Keikikou, uses ki. It's kinda obscure, but from what I've heard, senjutsu's similar. I can teach you the basics, and since it's tied to martial arts, it suits your style. Wanna train with ?"
"Please, I'd appreciate it," she answered instantly.
"I want to get stronger, to help President Rias and everyone…"
"Got it," I said. "We'll talk details later. For now, focus on the ga."
"Understood. I'll fight hard for you too, Issei-senpai."
"Hell yeah, Koneko-chan! I'm counting on you!"
Five minutes before the ga.
A magic circle in the Gremory manor's basent served as the gateway to the ga field. Everyone but gathered atop it, ready to transfer.
Most wore Kuoh Academy's sumr uniforms, except Asia in her nun outfit and Xenovia in her bondage-like battle gear—both claiming it boosted their focus.
Sirzechs, Venelana, Millicas, and Azazel called out from beyond the circle.
"Rias, give it your all," Sirzechs said.
"Fight without sha as the next head, and your peerage too," Venelana added.
"Go, Rias-neesama!" Millicas cheered.
"I've taught you what I can," Azazel said. "Now go kick ass."
As they encouraged the team, I approached Kiba. "Kiba, watch out for Saji. His resolve for this ga is no joke. He'll do anything to win."
"…Got it. I'll keep an eye on him," Kiba said, nodding seriously.
The magic circle began to glow, signaling the transfer.
"Everyone, give 'em hell!" I shouted, my only contribution for now.
Light engulfed them, and they vanished.
The ga was on!
[Kiba Side]
The magic circle dropped us onto a field lined with tables—a dining area, it seed, surrounded by fast-food joints.
I recognized it.
"This is the departnt store near Kuoh Academy," Rias said beside . "Didn't expect this as the stage."
An announcent echoed through the store.
"Ladies and gentlen, I am Grayfia, 'Queen' of the Lucifer peerage, serving as referee for the Gremory and Sitri Rating Ga," she said. "Under my lord, Sirzechs Lucifer, I will oversee this battle. The battlefield is a replica of the departnt store near Kuoh Academy, prepared in a pocket dinsion."
A familiar location should make things easier, but the Sitri team had the sa advantage—no geographical edge for either side.
"Each team's starting position is their 'base,'" Grayfia continued. "Rias-sama's base is the second floor, east side; Sona-sama's is the first floor, west side. 'Pawns' seeking promotion must reach the enemy's base."
Without Issei, our only pawn, promotion was exclusive to Saji and Nimura from the Sitri side. Though only two, their potential promotion posed a serious threat. Rias was surely aware.
"A special rule applies," Grayfia said. "Details have been sent to each team. Each side receives one 'Phoenix Tear' for recovery. Strategy ti is thirty minutes, during which contact between teams is prohibited. Let the strategy phase begin."
We launched into a strategy eting. Every second counted.
"This ga assus indoor combat," Rias said, reviewing the rule sheet. "The special rule: 'Do not destroy the departnt store battlefield.' In other words, no flashy battles."
"That's tough for and the vice-president," Xenovia said. "Wide-range attacks are off-limits."
She was right. Akeno's sweeping lightning and Xenovia's Durandal's holy shockwaves would wreak havoc, limiting their strengths.
"It's like our heavy-hitting attacks are sealed," Akeno said, hand on cheek, troubled.
I exhaled, adding, "Gasper's eyes won't work well here. Too many hiding spots—products and shelves block sightlines. We're open to ambushes. This field disadvantages us; our strength is flashy combat, and it's completely restricted."
Rias shook her head. "Gasper's eyes were banned outright. The rule: 'Gasper Vladi's Sacred Gear is prohibited.' It's simple—he can't fully control it. A rampage could ruin the ga. He's also required to wear Azazel's Sacred Gear-sealing glasses."
I glanced at Gasper, already sporting the glasses. They suited him.
With Issei absent and Gasper restricted, we were at a nurical and tactical disadvantage.
"Only Kiba and Koneko can move freely indoors under these rules," I said.
Rias nodded. "Exactly. Gasper will rely on magic and vampire abilities alone. His Sacred Gear training has improved, but a rampage would be disastrous. I expected this. Gasper, you got that from Issei, right?"
"Yes, he gave it to before we transferred," Gasper said.
"Good. Use it if needed," Rias said. "I'm counting on you."
"Yes! I'll do my best!" Gasper replied, brimming with enthusiasm.
He'd changed dramatically since eting Issei. The old Gasper wouldn't have responded so confidently.
"This ga puts us at a disadvantage," Rias said, smirking boldly. "But overcoming that will raise our standing."
"My, you're fired up," Akeno said.
"Of course," Rias replied. "And not just —you too, Akeno. No, everyone here feels the sa."
We all nodded.
Right. Issei was watching. We couldn't afford to look pathetic.
Though Rias and the others seed driven by other motives too.
Koneko was especially pumped, more than ever. Did her talk with Issei spark this?
Rias clapped her hands. "Enough chatter. Let's start strategizing. First, we map the battlefield. If this replicates the departnt store, are the parking garage cars included? That could be trouble."
I stepped forward. "President, I'll scout the rooftop and parking garage. There's a staircase nearby."
"Please, Yuto," she said.
I hurried off to check.
Ten minutes later, I returned.
"I'm back."
"Good work, Yuto," Rias said. "What's the situation?"
I marked a detailed map, noting car placents and specifics.
"As expected, the cars are replicated, but fewer than I thought," Rias said, studying the map. "Less cover ans we can use stronger attacks to an extent."
Akeno chid in. "Then Xenovia and I should hit the parking garage."
"Exactly," Rias said. "Akeno, Xenovia, advance from the parking garage. Yuto, Koneko, take the store interior. Rules favor your mobility."
She turned to Gasper. "Gasper, transform into bats and scout the store. Early on, report everything you see."
"Understood!" he replied.
The strategy eting continued, hamring out tactics, and a plan took shape.
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