The Prelude

Human World, Japan, Kuoh.

For the next few days after Cu Chulainn's breakthrough, James did not go to school. Instead, he spent all his time with Scathach, Cu Chulainn, Irene, and Tatsuya, who also decided to take the same few days off of school. Naturally, because Tatsuya took time off from school, his sister followed him. So, as a result, Mizore spent a lot more time working with Miyuki on ways that they both could improve their use of ice in combat.

Spending time with Scathach resulted in more sparring and even harsher training. Although the higher intensity training was exhausting and nearly broke his body several times a day, James could not deny the progress it brought him in regard to demonic power control and the strength of his physical body. Even though he still was not as physically strong as someone like Sairaorg when compared to his level of power, James was one of the physically stronger devils in the Underworld.

Instead of improving himself, however, when James spent time with Cu Chulainn it was for the express purpose of helping Cu Chulainn gain control of his new power. With minor god-rank being such a large step up in terms of power from the ultimate-rank, Cu Chulainn needed a few days of intense training to get his new strength fully under control.

Working with Irene was one of the more beneficial training sessions over the last few days. Thanks to her vast knowledge of [Dragon Slayer Magic] and its effect on the dragon aspect, James and Irene found a way to lower the consumption of James' [Tyrant Dragon Domination Drive]. In fact, the method was quite simple. The answer was [Dragon Force]. With [Dragon Force] active, James could replace part of the energy powering the [Tyrant Dragon Domination Drive] with draconic aura.

James felt a little silly for not realizing that earlier. But then again, in his defense, James had only unlocked the ability to use his [Dragon Force] freely shortly after the last time he used the [Tyrant Dragon Domination Drive]. Irene was even flabbergasted at how quickly he was able to tap into it.

The last thing James did during his short staycation was experiment on fully integrating with [Senbonzakura] while Tatsuya observed him with his [Elemental Sight]. And with no expectations of actually reaching the major god-rank before the duel, James and Tatsuya were pleasantly surprised when James succeeded only several hours before the event started.

"Seriously, that boy is a freak." Irene said with her eyes wide open as every inorganic object in a thirty-three foot (approx. 10 m) radius began breaking down into cherry blossom petal-shaped blades.

"I would have to agree." Scathach replied with a nod and a proud smile on her face. "For more than a thousand years, I've been looking for that spark of inspiration to make the same jump in power. Yet, it has eluded me."

"So pretty." Kahlua said with wonder in her eyes. "I love Cherry Blossoms."

"Yes, beautiful." Akua added with a nod. "And even more dangerous."

Issa and Kokoa nodded in agreement with Akua's statement. Just looking at the cloud of petal-blades made them feel as if they were being shredded. Yet, they were unable to take their eyes away.

"So, how do you feel?" Cu Chulainn asked with a slightly bitter expression on his face.

"Not all that different." James said as he tested how fine his control of the innumerable number of blades was. "Also, I can sense that the spiritual mark on Carnage has disappeared. I guess I don't need it anymore since I've integrated completely with the power, huh?"

"I would assume so." Scathach said, inserting herself into the conversation. "We can talk about that later, though. How is the consumption?"

"Not that high actually." James replied while still moving around the petal-shaped blades. "Getting it started takes a pretty good amount. However, after I'm in this state, I don't use any energy at all, no matter how much I convert into the blades."

"That sounds like a cheat." Mizore said with a pout.

"It does." Rias added with a nod. "But I guess that's how all major god-ranked devils are. "Big Brother told me that he experiences the same effect when he changes into his true form as well."

"Speaking of Lucifer's true form." Evangeline said before continuing onto her real question. "How will your ability stand up against his [Power of Destruction]."

"I'm not a hundred percent sure." James replied with a shake of his head. "But I think that with enough condensed draconic aura wrapped around each blade, they should last for a while. Or at least that's what I'm hoping for."

"Are you doubting my words?" Ddraig asked in a voice that everyone could hear.

"Yes." James replied calmly.

"You little bastard." Ddraig growled.

"Look, I know you said that even Zekram Bael's [Power of Destruction] couldn't harm you in the past, Ddraig." James said. "But Sirzechs is in a different league than that old man."

"But his [Power of Destruction] isn't as pure as Zekram Bael's." Ddraig protested.

"It may seem that way on the surface." James replied while shaking his head. "But he's been fully integrated with his power for centuries. Well, maybe not fully integrated, since he's still in the major god-rank. But you get the idea."

"Fine... I see your point." Ddraig said. "In my prime, though, he wouldn't have been able to hurt me in the slightest, though."

"Yes, yes." James said in a placating tone. "You were the third strongest of all the dragons, after all."

"That's enough." Scathach said, putting an end to the boy and his dragon's little back and forth. "You should spend the next few hours getting used to this new power. Then, for the last hour or so, you should concentrate on regaining your full strength."

"Yes, Ma'am." James said as he turned his focus back to his training. However, before he got too deep into it, he turned and looked at Tatsuya one more time. "Thanks, man. You really helped me speed this process up by a lot."

"Don't worry about it." Tatsuya said with the corners of his lips curling up slightly. "It was part of our pact, after all."

'Is Onii-Sama smiling?" Miyuki asked herself as she noticed the corners of Tatsuya's lips curling up. 'How long has it been since I saw him begin to smile involuntarily. How did Alaverus-San do it?'

Like that, James continued to work on the control of his new ability for the next couple of hours like Scathach suggested. Then, at around 10 p.m., he stopped and began to relax. Having a light meal was the first thing on his to do list. After that, he sat down between his mother and Genkai on the sofa for a rather intense few rounds of several fighting games.

At about 11:55 p.m., A teleportation circle appeared int eh corner of the living room. When it vanished, Grayfia took its place. When she saw the rather laid-back atmosphere, she was surprised. She thought that everyone would be more on edge due to the upcoming duel. However, she felt that it was not her place to question how another prepared for a duel.

"Young Master James Alaverus." Grayfia said, making her presence known. "I have come to escort you to the battlefield."

"Okay, just a second, I'm almost done administering this beatdown." James said with a smile while he was nearly done with a match of the latest Street Fighter.

"Just go already!" Leona shouted as she slammed her controller on the floor.

"Haha!" James laughed as he put his controller down. "Alright, I'm going."

As James approached Grayfia, instead of receiving hugs and handshakes, James only received verbal wishes of good luck and the like. They knew that there was not much time before the duel began and they did not want to delay him. If he were to be late and it was their fault that would not be good.

"Alright, guys, see ya later." James said while waving at everyone with a smile.

A moment later, Grayfia activated another teleportation circle. Then, both she and James vanished from the Alaverus Estate.

Dimensional Gap, Temporary Battlefield.

A few minutes before Grayfia arrived in the Human World's Alaverus Estate, Sirzechs and Ajuka were checking the stability of the battlefield that Ajuka had created in the Dimensional Gap. As they did, Sirzechs remained silent. Unless he was answering a question posed by Ajuka.

"*Sigh* I have a guess as to why you're acting like this." Ajuka said after making the last safety check. "But you need to snap out of it. If you don't, the chance you had of winning will disappear. You can worry about your personal issues after the duel."

Sirzechs only nodded his head in reply. However, he didn't speak on the matter at all.

"*Sigh* Seeing you like this, I think James might have been right." Ajuka said in an exasperated tone.

Sirzechs' head snapped up and his vision landed on Ajuka immediately after Ajuka's words ended.

"I mean, look at yourself." Ajuka continued. "You provoked James to this point. And you've done nothing to prepare for this duell because you're too busy wallowing in self-loathing. Is that how a Satan, Lucifer, should act?"

Sirzechs' eyes widened after hearing what Ajuka had to say.

"I mean, it's not like you think you were in the wrong, right?" Ajuka said. "Then prove that you truly are the strongest devil in the Underworld, like you claimed."

Though Ajuka could see that Sirzechs was not back to normal, yet. He did notice that Sirzechs' fighting spirit had returned.

'This is all I can do for you, old friend.' Ajuka thought. 'This way, hopefully you won't have any excuses to make if you lose. And if you win, then maybe that confidence that everyone has come to know you for will return.'

While Ajuka was thinking to himself, Sirzechs changed into his true form, a humanoid being made from the [Power of Destruction]. Then, his aura exploded., putting pressure on the temporary battlefield the two Satans were standing on.

"Well, now it looks like I'll have to make some more last minute adjustments." Ajuka thought as he watched Sirzechs with a blank stare. "Damn it, Sirzechs. Why couldn't you output power like this earlier, when we had more time to make all the safety checks."

A few moments later, James and Grayfia arrived on the battlefield. When they did, James' head snapped in the direction Sirzechs and Ajuka were. When he felt the level of power that Sirzechs was releasing, James expression turned into a battle hungry one.

"I've been looking forward to this." James said while he licked his lips in anticipation.

"James, I know you're strong." Grayfia said, bringing James back from his battle hunger. "But Sirzechs is no push over. He's been called history's strongest devil for a reason."

"I know Grayfia." James said, turning back towards Grayfia with his usual smile. "To be honest, I'd be disappointed if he was a pushover. Making him eat his words and actions would lose its meaning if he just got rolled up like a newspaper."

'*Sigh* I can feel the anger and wrath rolling off of him.' Grayfia thought as she looked at James bright smile. 'It's amazing how in control of himself he is while he's this angry.'

"I'll beat the consequences of his actions into his very soul." James said, his smile morphing back into one filled with the lust for battle. "He'll find that humiliating me the way he did was the worst mistake he ever made. And I'll make sure that he lives to remember and regret."

As james spoke, his aura began to leak. When Grayfia felt it, she opened her eyes wide.

'He reached the major god-rank.' Grayfia thought to herself in shock. 'I wonder if this battlefield will be able to handle this.'

At the same time, Sirzechs and Ajuka felt the spike in aura that James released. While Sirzechs frowned uncomfortably, Ajuka exhaled a tired sigh.

"So, he's already reached that step, huh?" Sirzechs muttered. "It doesn't matter, though. No matter what, I'm the strongest. And I'll show you exactly what that means, James."

'*Sigh* Why can't everyone let me know how strong they are earlier?' Ajuka said. 'Are the two of you trying to ruin my reputation? What will everyone think about me if the damn battlefield shatters during your battle? Can't you two hot heads be more considerate?'

A few moments later, working at his maximum capacity, Ajuka was able to make the final adjustments just in time for the broadcast of the duel to begin. Then, Ajuka and Grayfia teleported back to the Devil Council building so they could watch the duel without fear of being caught in the crossfire.