Life.5 High Praises During the Decisive Battle & Part.1

It happens during my way to the sports court where Kiba is waiting for me.

[Raiser Phoenix-sama's three [Pawns] retires.]

It's the announcement! Three of Raiser's [Pawns] were defeated!?

Who did it? I'm still on my way to the destination, Akeno-san is battling the [Queen], and Buchou and Asia are on their way here...so it must be Kiba!

With this, seven of their pieces have been defeated. With this, they have nine members left including Raiser. We only have five members left with Koneko-chan gone. It's a situation where we still can't let our guard down!

—! Someone grabs my arm while I'm on my way to the court! An enemy!? I make my stance, but the one who is holding my arm is Kiba. He's putting on a refreshing smile like always.

"Oh, it's you."

"Yup."

Kiba is observing the sports court from behind the storage room which is a blind spot from the court.

"Sorry, Kiba. Koneko-chan is..."

"I know it since I heard the announcement as well. She must be feeling regrets. I never knew what she was always thinking about, but she was really pumped for this match. She was working hard when we were setting the traps in the forest."

"...Let's win."

"Of course, Ise-kun."

We hit our knuckles together. Kiba pisses me off during our normal school life, but he is the most dependable ally in terms of battle.

Occult Research Club's male pair! If we don't show guts right here, then we will look totally uncool in front of the girls.

"Also, was it you who defeated the enemy [Pawns]?"

Kiba nods at my question.

"Yeah. The clubroom located at the sports court is an important location. So it's natural that there are lots of enemies. I somehow managed to lure the [Pawns] that were keeping their eyes over there and took them down. But the person in charge of this location is quite calm and hasn't responded to my provocation. Well, it seems like she used the [Pawns] to watch my attacks. Seems like Raiser Phoenix likes to battle by sacrificing his servants. It's something only he is able to pull off because of his immortality and the number of servants he has."

Kiba is smiling, but his eyes aren't.

"The enemies who are in charge of here are one [Knight], one [Rook], and one [Bishop]. Three pieces in total."

"...That's a severe defence."

"Well, that's how much they are keeping up their guard for this place. Against our intrusion here, that is. Since we eliminated the gym, they will put more strength here."

The two routes that were seen as a path to the bases. The route from the gym and the route from the sports court that is behind the new school building. Buchou chose to destroy one path, so the only place they need to guard is this sports court.

So it will be natural for them to increase the strength here. Well, because of our plan earlier, it ended by making their [Queen] come to the front lines...

Looks like the battle at this place will be more intense than the one at the gym. Ugh, I'm getting a bit nervous!

"Are you nervous?"

Kiba asks me with a smile. It makes my face red.

"O-Of course! I basically have no battle experience! And now I'm here in an actual battle. I would be a grunt compared to you who is full of battle experience."

I have the powerful Boosted Gear. That will be enough for me to be a threat.

But the wielder, which is me, is still a newbie in terms of battle. It's like a waste of treasure.

But still, I want to fight for Buchou. I want to do something for Buchou.

Even if I'm a weakling on this battlefield, I won't go down without a fight. If I'm going to get defeated, I will at least take many opponents down along with me.

"Look."

While I try to make my determination strong, Kiba shows me his hand.

—! Kiba's hands are shaking.

"Ise-kun, you said I have a lot of battle experience. That's certainly true. But it's my first time participating in the Rating Game. A serious battle between Devils. Even if this match is a special case, it doesn't change the fact that it's a serious fight. We get involved in Devils fights, whether we like it or not. And this is our first game. We can't show them even a slight opening in our guard. This is a match where we have to give it all we got as Buchou's servant Devils. It's something that will be important even in the future. I feel delighted and also scared. I don't want to forget the feeling of my hands' shaking. This feeling of being nervous, this intense atmosphere, I want to feel everything and turn it into my experience. Let's become stronger together, Ise-kun."

Kiba...has been thinking that much about this match... Like I thought, in terms of battle he's—.

"Then let's do a combination that would make the girls get aroused."

"Hahaha! Does it mean that I'm the one who goes from "behind"?"

"Dumbass! If it's sticking in, then it's my job! I mean, no! Die, handsome!"

I totally got dragged into his pace! Ugh, what am I doing?

Then I hear a loud voice of a brave woman.

"I'm the [Knight] of Raiser Phoenix-sama, Carlamaine! I've become bored of trying to sniff through each other's strategy! Rias Gremory's [Knight]! I challenge you to a duel!"

At the baseball court. There is a woman cladded in armour who is standing at the centre of it daringly.

What a bold female [Knight]! She can't complain if someone shoots her from the back!

Fu. Kiba who is standing next to me laughs.

"Since she introduced herself, I can't hide myself both as a [Knight] and as a swordsman."

After he mutters that out, he leaves from behind the storage room.

He then walks straight to the baseball court.

"That idiot."

Even though I'm complaining, I also follow after Kiba by heading there from the front.

—He looks cool.

That's what I thought after observing Kiba from his back.

"I'm the [Knight] of Rias Gremory, Kiba Yuuto."

"I'm the [Pawn], Hyoudou Issei!"

Kiba and I named ourselves to Raiser's [Knight], Carlamaine. The female knight then makes a happy face.

"I'm happy that there are warriors like you two in Rias Gremory's group. Coming out here directly from the front. That's something people with normal sanity won't do."

So we don't have normal sanity, huh.

"But I love idiots like you two. Now then, let's begin."

Carlamaine draws her sword out from the sheath. Kiba also gets ready to draw his sword out.

"The match between [Knights]. I have been waiting for this. Personally I would like to fight in an intense sword fight."

Kiba's aggressive words. Oh my, Kiba is making a really lively smile!

"Well said! Rias Gremory's [Knight]!"

Carlamaine starts to slash as if she is dancing.

GIN!

The swords hit each other making sparks! They both have god speed because they are [Knights]!

They started their battle! Exchanges of swords that I can't follow with my eyes. They both keep on appearing and disappearing due to their high speed!

So what am I supposed to do? ...Hmm, I will be killing the tension if I help Kiba. No matter how you look at it, this is a one on one fight.

Hmm, maybe I should give him cheers like, "Go Kiba!" or "You can do it Kiba".

"You seem bored."

"—!"

When I look at the direction where the voice came from, there is a woman wearing a mask that just covers half of her face.

I'm certain this woman is a [Rook].

Then another person came while complaining.

"Geez, this only seems like a mud fight since both of them only thinks about swords, swords and swords. Carlamaine was making a bitter face when the [Pawns] were being sacrificed, so does she hate the battle strategy planned by her Master who happens to be her [King]? Furthermore, when I thought I found a cute boy, he also happens to be a sword freak so I can't stand this."

There is also a beautiful girl who is wearing a dress like the ones worn by western princesses. I think she is Raiser's [Bishop]. She has a drill shaped hairstyle on both sides. She seems like a real princess. Wow! I'm surrounded by the Devils that are in charge of this place!

The [Bishop] princess looks at me with weird eyes. W-What is it?

"Hmm. So this boy is the [Pawn] that Rias Gremory adores? Does that person have bad taste in looking at gentleman?"

She then starts to say rude things. Ku! She has a bad tongue even though she has a cute face!

I take my distance from where I was standing and make a fighting stance against the two.

"Boosted Gear standby!"

[Boost!!]

The Sacred Gear power up starts. I have to leave the [Knight] to Kiba, and take care of these two! But the [Bishop] girl just sighs.

"I'm not going to be your opponent. Isabella, why don't you be his opponent?"

The masked woman who is called Isabella nods obediently. The girl wearing a dress moves away from us after she got a confirmation from Isabella, and is looking at us from a distance.

Eh!? The drill-roll haired girl isn't fighting!?

"I was planning to in the first place. Now then, let's fight since we are both bored."

"Ah, yeah. That's okay, but isn't that [Bishop] going to fight?"

It's my question to her. That's because this is supposed to be an important fight, right? Even I don't know how to react if she decides to withdraw from a fight like this...

Hearing that question, Isabella-san the mask woman, put her hand on her forehead and make a troubled face.

"Ah, don't worry about her. That girl is special. She will be mostly observing for this fight as well."

"W-What the hell is that!?"

Words slips out from my mouth. Seriously, can't you make a better excuse than "watching"!? This is supposed to be an important battle!

"She is—. No, that person is Ravel Phoenix. Raiser-sama's little sister. She became Raiser-sama's servant by using a special method, but she is Raiser-sama's actual sister."

...Huh?

That beautiful girl? That bird guy's? Huh? Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat!!

The bird bastard's sister waves her hand with a smile at me as if she realised that I'm in shock to find the truth.

...Hey, is that even allowed? He put his sister in his group and made her participate in the battle!?

"According to Raiser-sama, "Having your sister in your harem has a significant meaning. You know the significant view of having your close relatives? You know how there are people who look up to and also get jealous about it? Well, I'm not into little sisters, so I have her in my group as fashion."."

...So that bird guy is really a perv and also a dumb-ass! But I think I know the feeling of having your little sister in your harem! Little sisters are good! I also wanted one!

No, that's not it! Fine then! So that girl is his sister, and she won't fight me huh!

"Now, here I come! Rias Gremory's [Pawn]!"

SWIFT!

When I thought that the [Rook] Isabella came forward, a really sharp punch passes through my cheek!

Uwah! Lucky I dodged the attack by instinct!

"I see. So you can dodge a punch like this. Sorry. I was looking down on you a bit. I'll put one gear, no, I will increase by two gears then!"

Isabella makes a suspicious move while moving her body. But—.

SWISH! SWISH!

She starts to attack from unpredictable angles and places! Wow! When I thought that I dodged her attack which she did by bending her arm, it came back again like a whip!

Is this one of those flicker jabs you see in boxing!? It will definitely hurt if I get hit by it!

I can't attack unless I have my Boosted Gear to a certain degree! For now I have to dodge! I dodge the attacks like mad and then—

KICK!

"...Gah!"

I suddenly feel an intense pain in my stomach. A kick. I was kicked! I was too focused on her punches so I didn't pay attention to her legs...! I became unbalanced, and more punches came at my face!

Lots of her flicker jabs hits my face. It hurts! This is seriously bad!

[Boost!!]

Ku! I'm sure that was my fifth boost! This will be enough if my opponent is a [Pawn], but this isn't enough to defeat a [Rook]! In terms of piece value, [Rook] is the next highest after [Queen]! I won't be able to take her down with half-assed attacks!

I cross my arms to guard against her punches. Her punches are heavy even with my guard on! I will retire right away if I continue to receive these hits!

I step back when she withdrew her fist!

The enemy's attack stops. But she is still moving. I won't know when she will attack again.

I'm glad that I sparred with Kiba and Koneko-chan. That proved to be very useful. That's because it gave me the sense to know when the opponent will stop attacking. Buchou also told me how to run so I was able to dodge the attacks just now. Then the [Rook] Isabella smiles.

"I was taking you lightly. To tell you the truth, I thought I got you when my kick hit you... Looks like Rias Gremory has been training you well. Especially your stamina is magnificent."

Stamina...? Did I do something amazing?

"In a serious battle, the most important thing is the stamina. Even idiots can fight. But you need stamina to continue for a few minutes. Battles consume lots of stamina and concentration. Just dodging the attack requires quite an amount of effort. So being able to do it till now means that you have been training your body a lot."

—!

My heart becomes full. The bitter training. The shouts which made Buchou seem like a Devil.

I was forced to run from the morning, and even had to carry rocks on my back in the mountain path. I thought I was going to die.

It even made me think if those were necessary. But Buchou stayed by my side from morning to dawn. Then my eyes got teary. I start to shed some tears pathetically in front of the enemy.

Buchou!

Buchou! I am able to fight! I am standing!

Everything that you have done for me is showing results!

I can't lose. I won't lose! I will definitely make Buchou win! This woman! I will defeat this [Rook] who is right in front of me!

"...Looks like I said something unnecessary. I felt your pressure increase."

"[Rook] Isabella. I am the weakest and the least experienced member in Rias Gremory-sama's group. But still I will defeat you!"

It happens when I made my resolve.

BUZZ!

I heard the sound of the wind. When I look, I witness Kiba's darkness sword dispersing.

—Holy Eraser.

A Sacred Gear where a darkness sword devours light and its blade is engulfed by darkness. It's Kiba's Sacred Gear, but it looks like a part of it was blown away by the enemy [Knight].

"Unfortunately, your Sacred Gear won't work on me."

Carlamaine's sword is covered in flames. A flame sword? So the darkness sword got beaten by that huh.

But Kiba doesn't seem bothered by it, and instead makes a smirk.

"Then I will also tell you this. Unfortunately, this isn't everything of my Sacred Gear."

"What? Nonsense. [Knight] of Gremory, it's unsightly for a swordsman to..."

"—Freeze."

After Kiba says that with a small voice, there is something gathering in the blade-less sword.

Huh? It feels like it has gotten cold... Chills starts to gather around here.

When I was feeling something like that, Kiba's sword starts to freeze. The ice starts to pile up and it takes the shape of a sword.

BREAK!

At the same time with the sound of ice breaking, Kiba's sword forms into a blade of ice.

"In front of this sword, "Flame Delete", all types of fire will disappear."

—I-Ice sword!?

Hey, hey, hey, hey! The darkness sword isn't the only weapon of Kiba's!?

Everyone except Kiba has a shocked expression. That's obvious. Is it even possible!?

"A-Absurd! Are you telling me that you have two Sacred Gears!?"

Carlamaine swings her flame sword to the side! She has an impatient look.

BREAK BREAK-BREAK...

The instant Carlamaine's sword touches Kiba's sword, the flame sword starts to freeze and turn into a solid. Then—.

It makes a sound and breaks. Then it disappears.

But she doesn't stop attacking. As soon as she throws away her sword, she takes a short sword from her hip. She then put her sword up and shouts.

"We are the members of the all mighty House of Phoenix that rule over fire and wind! Taste it! The whirlwind of fire!"

BUUUUUUURN!

There is a wind of fire around the baseball court with Carlamaine and Kiba in the middle of it. The hot wind is burning my skin.

"That Carlamaine. Has she forgotten that her allies are here as well!?"

Isabella comments, while using her arm to guard her face.

Kiba's ice sword starts to melt after receiving the wind of fire. Even so, Kiba still doesn't seem to be bothered.

"I see, you are trying to burn us with the whirlwind of fire... But."

Kiba put his blade-less sword in front of him. He then says it with a strong voice.

"—Stop."

SUUUUUUUUCK!

The wind is getting sucked into Kiba's sword while making a large noise. The wind stops within few seconds, and the baseball ground becomes silent.

"Replenish Calm". It's been a while since I last showed more than two demonic swords for one battle."

There is a unique looking blade in Kiba's sword. There is a mysterious whirlwind in the middle of the blade. The winds were sucked in there?

He can even make that kind of sword as well!?

"...Multiple Sacred Gears. Are you a Sacred Gear possessor who takes the weapons of other Sacred Gear users and makes it their own?"

Kiba shakes his head at Carlamaine's question.

"I don't have multiple Sacred Gears. I also don't take the Sacred Gears of others and make them my own. I created it."

"Created...it?"

"Yes. "Sword Birth". I can make any type of demonic swords. That is the name of my Sacred Gear and its true ability."

Multiple swords appear from the ground when he put his hand downwards! There are swords with different shapes. Even the blades are different! From Kiba's words, all of them must be demonic swords!

[Boost!!]

—Here it comes!

One hundred and fifty seconds exact! Now I'm also ready!

—When you form a block of demonic-power, shoot it with a shape you imagine the most.

What Buchou said comes back to my mind. The easiest way for shooting a block of power for me is how the main character of "Dragon Ball", "Son Goku", shoots "Kamehameha"!

"Boosted Gear! Explode!"

[Explosion!!]

A massive load of energy waves gathers on both my hands.

I spread my arms across and put them together! I imagine how I will shoot it, and then shoot it out by feeling the energy flowing within me!

But I need to hold back. The power that destroyed the mountain is bad. It may affect Buchou's strategy if I destroy the school building. I shoot it while holding back—.

My special move! "Dragon Shot"!

I scream the name of my special move inside myself since the enemy may predict what I'm about to do by hearing it.

DON!

A mass of demonic-power gets released from my hands.

"Guwah!"

I get pushed back because of its power. I continue to look at the "Dragon Shot" even though I get myself pushed back!

It's huge!

Even if you compare it to my body, it's about five times the size of my height. And that is heading towards my opponent really fast. My target is Raiser's [Rook].

Buchou told me that in a "Rating Game", [Rooks] are the most troublesome ones.

Their attacks and defences gets higher.

These are the [Rooks] traits and that is what their most terrifying aspect is. It's normal to give the role of [Rook] to someone with high attack and defence, but it is also used in a different way.

You can also give a role of [Rook] to someone with high speed or high demonic-power.

People who fight using demonic-power tends to have weak physical builds. So they used the trait to overcome their weakness. So if you give the role of [Rook] to someone with fast legs, they will turn into all-rounder type with fast legs, high defence and high attack.

Furthermore, [Rook] has a special ability similar to the "promotion" of a [Pawn].

—The "Castling".

They can change the position of themselves with the [King] immediately. Buchou told me this is the most troublesome technique. It doesn't do anything after "Checkmate", but swapping the position of the [King] and [Rook] is certainly powerful. Increasing their strong points or covering their weak points is up to the Master. There are so many ways of using the pieces.

That's why I will take on the [Rook] Isabella.

"Isabella! Don't take it! Dodge!"

Raiser's [Knight], Carlamaine shouts. Isabella who was trying to take the attack before changes her action by evading it.

PASS!

Isabella just dodges my attack. My Dragon Shot that misses the target went far away. It's heading for the tennis court.

The next moment—.

BAAAAAAAANG!

The sound of the ground rumbling! A red glow of light and whirlwind hit us!

I look at the Dragon Shot that had hit the tennis court and I can't believe what I am seeing.

—It's gone! The tennis court along with the surrounding sports grounds is gone!

Did it get blown away!? With my attack!? Even if it is a replica, the school looks totally different from before! There isn't even a trace left of the tennis court! Instead there is a huge crater! I hold back, yet this destructive power!?

I realise it once again. My Sacred Gear is abnormal!

"Isabella! Defeat that [Pawn]! That boy! That Sacred Gear has the power to change the outcome of the battle!"

By following the shouts of Carlamaine, Raiser's [Rook] Isabella locked-on at me.

"Affirmative! Boosted Gear! It will become a big threat if we allow him to use "promotion"! I will take him down before that happens!"

It's different from before, Isabella! My current attack power is that of a High-class Devil!

The enemy came rushing in at me, starting to kick and punch. I guard them, and put strength in my left arm!

"Daa!"

My knuckle went towards Isabella. She crosses her arms and guards, but...

BANG!

My heavy blow breaks the guard and sends the masked [Rook] flying!

Yes! I touched her! I can use it now!

"Burst! Dress Break!"

POP! That moment, Isabella's clothes gets blown away. Her naked body becomes visible. Wow, those are huge oppais! It's really good since her body is tight! I have saved it in my brain's memory!

"What! What is this!?"

Isabella reacts by hiding her private parts. Well of course you will react that way!

Here it is! Without wasting anytime, I put forward the small block of demonic-power that I created with my right hand! What I imagine is a block of demonic-power launching from my hand! I shoot it towards the enemy!

"Goooooo!"

SHOOOOOT!

The mass of demonic-power that has been powered up significantly with the gauntlet went forward!

"Ku! With a move like this!"

The waves of demonic-power cover the naked Isabella's body.

BAAAAAANG!

A big shock-wave spread throughout the area. When it calms down, Isabella who is on the ground starts to get covered with light. She starts to fade away and disappear from this place.

[Reset]

The effect of Boosted Gear runs out. Then—.

[Raiser Phoenix-sama's [Rook] retires.]

I heard the announcement of Grayfia-san.

"Hell yeaaaaaah!!"

I shout with joy because I defeated a [Rook].

I can fight! I can fight because of you, Buchou!