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Kise: ... Yeah I know, hard to wrap my head around it too.

The Hyoudou twins were both inside of a hospital, standing before an unconscious woman.

Issei: ... That bastard has been alive all this time. Meanwhile we've been trying to make it through life on our own, and mom... Has been like this afterwards.

Kise: ... Is it wrong that I wanna both hug him and ask where he's been, but also deck him with every ounce of strength I have?

Issei: Me first, I had to deal with the supernatural bullshit early...

Kise: *Sigh* Well I just lucked out that I was able to get something ELSE. I guess we both ended being born lucky.

Issei: So, rating game turned into a free battle huh?

Kise: Yeah. Same rules, just I can jump in. I'll tear the Phoenix down until he's just a husk.

Issei: ... There's the resemblance. You sure you can't think of any more extreme training for yourself?

Kise: Issei, I can only think of one thing other than my strength training I can do in 2 days. In fact, I'm purposefully not doing the regular stuff to get to the Penalty Zone.

Kise looked at his own stats.

Name: Kise Hyoudou
Race: Human
Job: Monarch of Shadows
Title: Dragonic Conqueror
Level: 65

HP: 14,035 (+5,200)
MP: 3,300 (+2700)
Fatigue: 0

Strength: 155 (+30) (+65)
Agility: 130 (+30) (+65)
Vitality: 110 (+65)
Sense: 120 (+60) (+65)
Intelligence: 120 (+60) (+65)

Physical Damage Reduction: 50%

[Passive Skills]
Tenacity LV.1, Advanced Dagger Techniques LV.2
[Active Skills]
Speed LV.3, Bloodlust LV.1, Vital Strike LV.2, Dagger Toss LV.1, Camouflage LV.1,
The Commander's Touch LV.1
[Job Specific Skills]
Active Skills: Shadow Extraction LV.1,
Shadow Preservation LV.1

Title: Dragonic Conqueror
This Title is given to those who have valiantly and fearsomely overcome adversity. Your stats gain a buff in proportion to your Level.
(+1 in all stats for each level)

Kise: I feel like I'm so close to the breakthrough of a lifetime. After levels, and a little bit of Magic Training... I know I'll be able to protect all of them. That...

Kise smirked, seeing that the number of Shadows that he was able to preserve had spiked a ludicrous amount, somewhere in the 200's.

Kise: ... If I didn't wanna abuse the fuck out of him myself, it'd be the jumping of a lifetime.

Issei: No Shadow Soldiers?

Kise: Just Igris. He's the one who got the right to fight alongside me.

Igris upon hearing his name knelt beside Kise.

Kise: ... You know anything about our dad?

Igris shook his head side to side.

Kise: Worth a shot.

Kise saw that the timer above him, as it neared zero.

Kise: Well, that's about to be my cue.

Issei: ... Hey, Kise.

Kise: Huh?

Issei had given her twin a light punch on the shoulder.

Issei: ... Proud of you.

Kise smiled, before he was quickly transported, finding Asia beside him.

Asia: You're insane, you know that?

Kise: And that's why we're so close.

Asia: Well, at least we are in level now too.

Name: Asia Argento
Race: Human
Job: Grand Mage
Title: Mage of Twilight
Level: 65

HP: 14,035
MP: 4,600 (+3,000)
Fatigue: 0

Strength: 80 (+20)
Agility: 150 (+30)
Vitality: 110
Sense: 120 (+120)
Intelligence: 150 (+150)

[Passive Skills]
Tenacity LV.3, Advanced Martial Arts LV.2
[Active Skills]
Speed LV.3, Bloodlust LV.1, Critical Blow LV.2, Camouflage LV.2
The Commander's Touch LV.1
[Job Specific Skills]
Active Skills: Grand Lightning, Raging Blaze, Torrent Burst, Nature's Wrath

Title: Mage of Twilight
The User of Twilight Healing, and Elemental Magic is capable of achieving this title, giving access to a Special Skill.
Twilight Healing LV.2
[Able to heal the HP of Party members by 30% every 5 seconds, and themselves by 20% every 10 seconds.]
(User gains a boost in Sense an Intelligence that matches their level.)

Asia: Let's do this.

The two shared a high five, before going on the offensive.

THE NEXT DAY

In a mountain home, the Gremory Peerage were baffled, seeing Asia and Kise standing before them, both Players covered in sand, and what seemed to be insect blood.

Rias: ... What in the world were you two doing?!

Kise: You have your ways of training, we have ours.

Rias: I... Well at least you decided to do this early.

Rias was stunned, feeling a massive difference in Kise's abilities.

Rias: '... I trust him. His strength even on its own makes me feel... Safer.' Well, you wanted to learn how to use magic correct?

Kise: Yup... And possibly, PREFERABLY, a little bit of Water Magic.

Rias: Why do I feel like your hatred for Riser is burning just as brightly as mine?

Akeno: Well, the real trick behind it that you have to let it flow out. It should feel natural, and can be anything you really want. Not sure why you'd want to learn basic stuff like that when you manipulate Space and Time, but that's how!

Kise: ... Honestly, I think grasping the Basics can end up helping a lot more than you think Akeno.

Kise held out his hand, breathing in, and out.

Kise: 'I haven't been able to access Palkia and Dialga's second skills, but by doing this...'

In front of Kise, everyone was able to see a Distortion of Space, as a crack in the air formed. Feeling this, Kise opened his eyes, and then swung his arm, with a purple slash traveling through the air, and ripping a tree open. Not finished yet, in his other hand a ball of blue energy formed, before he shot a beam through other trees, even carving up the mountain.

Rias: Amazing...

[Spatial Cleave LV.1]
User is able to consume 200 Mana in order to summon a slash of spatial energy that impacts opponents immensely. Higher chance on landing a Critical Attack. Cooldown: 5 Seconds

[Beam of Time LV.1]
User is able to consume 300 Mana in order to fire a devastating beam with damage cannot be reduced.

[Urgent Quest: Rest for the Strong.]
[With an upcoming battle, the Player must rest to make sure they are physically and mentally prepared.]
Daily Training will not be in effect, and if player does not level up, quest will be completed.
Time Remaining: 12 Hours

Kise: *Sigh* For once, I think these damn Dragons inside of me are letting me take a break. Which gives us the perfect amount of time to strategize a way to beat the living shit out the that Fire Bird.

Rias: You seem more confident than before.

Kise: Cause I'm not exactly the same anymore Cherry. Everything before this is gonna look like a warmup.

Asia: Now if you'll excuse me, I need a very long, hot, steaming bath to wash off the bug guts from my... EVERYWHERE.

Kise: Yeah, I think I'm gonna head to the baths too.

Rias: I think that goes for everyone!

TIME SKIP!!

Kiba: Hold on hold on, you're able to to make HOW MANY SOLDIERS?!!!

Kise: YOU CAN JUST MAKE SWORDS WITH YOUR SACRED GEAR?!!

Kise and Kiba were currently in the men's bath, explaining their own abilities to each other.

Right then and there, a dynamic Duo had been born, with the two giving each other a brotherly handshake.

Kise: Never would I have known the guy I get along with most in the school would ACTUALLY be someone who compliments my own powers too!!

Kiba: Kuoh's Prince, and Kuoh's Dark Prince actually fit!!

Kise: OOOOOOOOH we finna fuck up some fire fucks!! Forget saving Mana, I'll gladly take the minor risk of them being able to hurt those Shadows for something that glorious to happen!!

Kiba: Did we just become best friends?!

Kise: YUP!!!

Kise&Kiba: LET'S KICK SOME ARROGANT PHENEX ASS!!!

On the girls side of the baths, they all could hear the shouts of the two newly made best friends.

Akeno: You know, out of everyone in the school, I never thought that Kise and Kiba would end up becoming as close as they just did.

Koneko: ... Lucky.

Asia: Kise is an unbelievably simple person to become friends with. It just happens to be that Kiba is the same. I think the fact that they face similar problems at school, have a similar hate for Fallen Angels, and have complimentary powers made it easier.

Rias: Honestly, it's just good to see him happy, even at times like this. It feels kind of... Inspiring, no?

Akeno: Yeah, that's one way to put it!

After the baths, it had become late, with Kise unable to sleep.

Kise: ... Man, I'm just too excited and locked in.

He laid up from his bed, walking out, and while he did, he had seen Rias with glasses and a book, exiting her room as well.

Kise: O_O You too Rias?

Rias: Oh, Kise. This is perfect timing actually. I need to chat with you about something anyway.

A bit of time passed, as the two found themselves outside on the balcony.

Kise: ... THAT'S what you're planning?

Rias: It's the attack plan, although quite the aggressive and reckless one. This can only be a one time thing, because you're the only one who can make it work.

Kise: ... If I screw it up, that could really mess things up you know.

Rias: Yes, but tell me. Have you given me any reason to not have faith in you, Kise?

Kise: ... *Snicker* Can't deny my own skill.

Rias: Besides, you know we're up against Phenex, right?

Kise: So what? Not like he's actually unkillable, right?

Rias: Let me assure you, the name isn't just for show. A Devil, but also a Marquee counted among the 72 Pillars. We've got our work cut out for us.

Kise: ... An immortal punching bag eh?

Kise cracked his knuckles.

Kise: Good thing I actually decided to say fuck it and battle.

Rias: ... More than you realize. Because of this, now I'll have the chance to tell my father and everyone else where to stick it. Even with you, they all anticipate me losing this game. If we win, I'll be able to prove them wrong and change the score.

Kise: To be honest, I'm just more glad that you're not going along with this stupid arranged marriage proposal.

Rias: The proposal was to the Heiress of the House of Gremory. Because of my little I'm not ever recognized as Rias. The House of Gremory always comes before me. I've learned to adjust to it and make personal decisions accordingly.

Kise: ...

Rias: Make no mistake, my title is something I will always take pride in, but when it comes to the subject of marriage, I wanna share that with someone who loves me as Rias. Not for how my status can improve their life. Otherwise, they may as well marry the house. I understand that history is not in my favor, and the idea of love may just remain a dream, but it's one I'd like to keep.

Kise: ... I don't care what kind of political nonsense you're involved in, you're a living person, not some kind of title or inanimate prize to put in a case.

Kise walked in front of Rias, with a serious look on his face.

Kise: ... I at least like you for being Rias. Not Rias Gremory, or any kind of Heiress. The only way I've looked at you is what you've shown me at face value. And that was more than enough.

Rias' eyes went wide, as a blush appeared on her face.

Rias: You... You said what?

Kise: ...

Silence went by for a moment, before Kise quickly realized what he did.

Kise: ...-_-... 'Smooth Hyoudou. Real smooth...' I meant every word I just said Rias. You're an amazing person... I mean I can't name everything I like about just YOU. Big or small role...

Kise shook of the blush on his face, with a smile returning to it instead.

Kise: Just being apart of your life to make you happy would be enough for me.

Rias: Kise...

Rias began to tear up hearing these words, before grabbing Kise in a hug.

Rias: ... You're... There's no way to describe how happy just hearing that from you makes me. 'Even if it doesn't work out... Kise always wants to be apart of my life... How did I get this lucky?'

Kise hugged Rias back, petting her head.

Kise: '... I don't know if she'd be able to deal with my constant disappearances... But I think we'd both be willing to try.'

TIME SKIP!!

The next day had come, as Kise had begun to prepare for battle, already having his gloves equipped, and usable daggers on standby.

Kise: ...

???: You alright?

He looked at the door, seeing Asia.

Kise: I guess. I'm just impatient is all.

Asia: Really? You sure it's just impatient?

Kise: ... Fine, maybe the SLIGHTEST, bit of nerves. This is gonna be an all out battle. No rules. If anything happens to the others if I screw up-

Asia: Simple thing to prevent that actually.

Kise: Huh?

Kise felt a sound slap on the side of his face.

Kise: OW!!!

Asia: JUST FOCUS LIKE YOU ALWAYS DO!!! There's literally no reason you have to be afraid now!!

She grabbed the teens hands, before forcefully opening them, and placing a bottle of holy water, and a cross into them.

Asia: THAT CROSS IS PRETTY DAMN IMPORTANT TO ME AND HOLY WATER ISN'T SIMPLE TO MAKE!!! Issei already left because she knew you wouldn't lose.

She quickly grabbed Kise by the collar, pulling him down to eye level.

Asia: If you end up losing, I will NEVER let you live it down.

Kise: 'O_O Got it.

Asia: ... Good.

The threatening stance had quickly turned into a hug, surprising Kise, but he had returned it.

Kise: '... Asia has been increasingly nicer to me lately... Ah I'm sure I'm just imagining it.' Welp, time to fuck some shit up.

Kise smiled, before appearing at the ORC.

Kise: Hey.

Kiba: Man, you seem ready to go.

Kise: Oh I'm gonna fuck their shit up and then some.

Rias: The Battlefield is going to be in the underworld. Actually, it's planned to be broadcasted.

Kise: Any particular reason?

???: Simply a showcase.

Kise looked to the side, seeing Sona and Tsubaki.

Sona: They want to show if the Monarch of Shadows is someone to not be trifled with, or if he's powerful enough for even a High Class Devil to defeat. In the eyes of Sirzechs, it's a win win.

Kise: ... Not used to being used for someone's benefit without my consent anymore.

Koneko: It'll backfire. HARD.

Akeno: If you put on a show, you'll reveal that the House of Gremory has a major powerhouse backing it! You'll make Devils everywhere start sweating!

Rias: Sorry Kise.

Kise: Oh you all know what I'm about.

As that was said, they all saw a teleportation circle on the ground.

Kise: Guess that's for us.

Rias: Yep. Specially calibrated for you.

The Devils stepped onto the circle, before Kise took slow steps, entering as well.

Kise: ... Game time.

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CHAPTER END!!