Chapter 6: Testing

Kiba and Akeno were efficiently clearing the streets of Stray Devils.

With most of their targets being middle and low-class Devils, their task was straightforward. Kiba's strength had significantly increased from absorbing numerous Evil Pieces.

After a long day, the two returned to the mansion. Akeno headed to bed, while Kiba began upgrading his claymore.

He also used this time to train his body. His wrists bore twelve black lines, six on each forearm, which represented his chosen optimum equipment.

The next day,

On a Saturday morning,

Kiba wandered around town, working on finishing his Earth Buster Sword. He had nothing else to do except train and monitor the area.

'Wait, don't I need Light element immunity? For now, I guess I can create Light element resistance,' Kiba thought.

He paused his Earth Buster Sword creation and started crafting an Elemental Resistance sword.

While walking, he spotted a group of Fallen Angels: Raynare, Kalawarna, Dohnaseek, and Mittelt.

'I can't kill them yet. I need to wait until Asia arrives,' Kiba decided, and he walked away. However, Kalawarna sensed a Devil nearby and decided to follow him.

During this time, Kiba stopped creating the Elemental Resistance sword and began working on a Slave Sword.

As Kalawarna followed, she arrived in an empty alleyway, confused.

"I sensed it here," Kalawarna said.

"You sensed it right," Kiba replied from behind, leaning against a wall.

Kalawarna jumped a few meters away and conjured a light weapon. Kiba approached menacingly with his hands in his pockets.

She rushed toward him, but Kiba blocked her attack with a Spectral Sword, reminiscent of a blue spectral sword from DMC.

"Calm down," Kiba said, thinking, 'I need them to be less wary. I don't want to raise suspicion.'

"No, you're a Devil. Why should I?!" Kalawarna exclaimed.

"Because your life is already in my hands," Kiba said as multiple spectral swords appeared around her, one hovering behind her neck.

She stopped fighting back, fear evident in her eyes. "What do you want, Devil?"

"Nothing. I didn't even want to meet you yet. But since you came after me, I have to do things the hard way," Kiba said.

'So, this is my fault,' Kalawarna thought, annoyed and frustrated. 'I'm going to die. Goodbye, Azazel-sama.'

Kiba summoned a Slave Sword and put his Spectral Sword away. He stabbed Kalawarna, the sword entering her body completely.

She was surprised when nothing happened, and the spectral swords around her vanished.

She attempted to attack Kiba again, but her body was shocked, causing her to collapse.

"What did you do?!" Kalawarna demanded angrily.

"I made you my slave. Unless you know how to manipulate souls, I don't recommend trying to remove it. The sword I placed in you is similar to a Sacred Gear. You could die trying, or you could follow my rules," Kiba said, kneeling down.

"What are your rules?" Kalawarna asked.

"Just keep doing what you want. I won't interfere," Kiba replied, standing up. "Next time, don't be so arrogant in a fight. You never know who you're up against. Also, I will call on you in the near future."

He walked away, resuming the creation of his Elemental Resistance sword.

Kalawarna gritted her teeth in frustration. "That damn inferior being made me his slave. I will make him pay for this in the future."

Meanwhile, Kiba waited for his Elemental Resistance Sword to finish. He bought an ice cream cone and sat on a bench, enjoying it.

"This life isn't so bad," Kiba mused. "I hate that in the past I had to work hard just to survive. This is much easier."

He smiled, relieved that his struggles for money were over. Now, his only challenge was to become stronger, which he found far easier.

When the Elemental Resistance Sword was finished, Kiba headed back to the mansion, continuing the creation of the Earth Buster Sword. On his way back, he saw Koneko buying some cookies in a shop.

"Koneko," Kiba called out as he entered the shop and walked toward her.

"Kiba-senpai," Koneko greeted him.

"Buying cookies as usual?" Kiba asked.

Koneko nodded.

Kiba smiled and patted her head. "Let me pay for it." Then he looked at the shopkeeper. "I'll take some cream puffs too, and I'll cover everything."

"Kiba-senpai, it's fine. I can pay for it," Koneko protested.

"No, I'm older than you. Let me handle it this time," Kiba insisted.

"Okay," Koneko agreed, touching her head where Kiba had patted her. She liked it, even though it was the first time he had done it.

After Kiba paid, they walked out and began chatting.

"What were you doing here alone? Just buying cookies?" Kiba asked.

"Yes," Koneko replied.

"Don't you have any friends to hang out with?" Kiba asked.

"No," Koneko said, looking a bit down. "But Kiba-senpai, you don't have male friends either. You only have fangirls."

"How am I supposed to have friends when they all hate me?" Kiba said.

Just then, they encountered a delinquent in the area. The delinquent saw Kiba and quickly bowed.

"I'm sorry for my presence. I'll leave immediately," the delinquent said and ran away.

Kiba had a deadpan look, while Koneko was surprised and confused.

"Kiba-senpai, what did you do to that guy?" Koneko asked.

"I don't want to talk about it," Kiba said, covering his face.

They walked back to the mansion, eating the food they bought. When they entered the living room, they were surprised by the sudden visit of Rias's parents, including her brother and his wife:

- Zeoticus Gremory, Rias's father

- Venelana Gremory, Rias's mother

- Sirzechs Lucifer, Rias's older brother

- Grayfia Lucifuge, Rias's sister-in-law

They saw Kiba and Koneko walk in and greeted them. Grayfia stood beside Sirzechs, Venelana to his right, and Zeoticus to her right, while Rias sat alone on the opposite side.

"Welcome back," Rias said.

"Welcome," Zeoticus added.

The others smiled at them.

Koneko and Kiba bowed and left the room, giving Rias and her family some privacy.

However, the conversation between Rias and her parents continued.

"Okaa-san, why is the engagement scheduled for next year? You promised!" Rias said, her voice filled with frustration.

"We're sorry, Rias. The Phenex family is very eager to have you join them," Venelana explained.

"So, the Phenex family is more important than me? You lied!" Rias's anger and disappointment were palpable.

"You are important to us, Rias, but this is crucial for our family's standing in the Underworld," Zeoticus said. "Rias, this engagement is significant for our family's future."

Rias stormed out, heading straight to the kitchen where Kiba, Akeno, and Koneko were preparing food for the guests.

Kiba noticed her first and asked, "Are you okay?"

"I'm... fine," Rias replied, her voice betraying her true feelings.

'This must be about the engagement,' Kiba thought, sighing.

Akeno and Koneko noticed her distressed expression. Akeno hugged Rias and asked, "Did something happen?"

"My engagement is set for next year," Rias said, her voice trembling.

"I'm sorry," Akeno said, patting Rias's back comfortingly.

Koneko walked up and held Rias's hand. "No matter what happens, we'll stay right beside you, Buchou."

Rias felt touched by their support, but when she looked at Kiba, she saw him calmly preparing the food. "Yuuto, do you not care?" she asked.

The others turned to look at him as well.

"I do care, but you haven't put any effort into stopping the engagement. I've already asked about your well-being. That should be enough," Kiba said.

"What do you mean by stopping the engagement?" Rias asked, confused.

"Well, like a Rating Game or a duel," Kiba said. "Devils respect strength. If you beat Riser, the engagement will be canceled. But it seems like you didn't care enough to try. You didn't train as hard as Akeno. You even quit training halfway."

"It's just too hard," Rias said, her frustration mounting.

"This is one of the reasons you have an arranged marriage. Do you want to know the other reason your family is marrying you into the Phenex family?" Kiba asked.

"Why?" Rias asked, her anger simmering.

"Because you're weak. That's the truth. You're being sold away, marrying into the Phenex family, not the other way around," Kiba said bluntly.

Rias felt a surge of anger toward her family, her demonic aura flaring up.

'Shit, I said it the wrong way. Think fast,' Kiba thought.

"But before you make any decisions, get stronger and stop the engagement yourself," Kiba said, trying to salvage the situation.

He smiled as the Earth Buster Sword completed its creation.

"Why are you smiling?" Rias asked, confused by his sudden change in demeanor.

"I just remembered something funny from the past," Kiba said.

"What is it?" Akeno asked.

"Nothing," Kiba said with a smile, as he began upgrading his parallel thought process, focusing on his next creation.