Chapter 36 - The Devil Kings' Shocks and Exam Stages

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"Before, I told you guys that Rey can grow fast because he has a Longinus, right?"

The Devil Kings nodded slightly at Mephisto-jiisama's question.

"Yes. But you didn't tell us which of the thirteen Longinus he has."

"That's right. Rey does have a Longinus, but his Longinus isn't one of the thirteen. His Longinus is a new Longinus."

"Huh?"

"What?"

"A new Longinus?"

"How could that be?"

The Devil Kings seemed taken aback by Mephisto-jiisama's statement.

"Aye. You might be know that Azazel is a Sacred Gear researcher. And we think that Rey's Sacred Gear really deserves to be classified as a Longinus. That's because the ability that Rey's Sacred Gear possesses is beyond normal."

"What is the name of the Sacred Gear? And what's the ability?"

"Azazel named the new Longinus <<Wishful Summoning of the Lost Records>> or [Serene Summoning] for short. While the ability of that Sacred Gear is like the name it allows for user to do summoning."

"Summoning?"

"I'm not that surprised there are Sacred Gears with the ability to perform summoning like Summoning Magic. And as far as I know indeed there are. But isn't it an exaggeration to consider it a Longinus?"

Ajuka Beelzebub-sama who is famous as a research genius, asked curiously.

"Summoning does seem rather common and ordinary. But, what if this Sacred Gear made it possible to summon powerful beings and form bonds with them? So, imagine if it was used to summon beings like Dragon King and make pacts with them."

"""""What!?"""""

"Now you understand, right?"

"""""That's...."""""

The four Devil Kings looked at me with slight frowns and looks as if they saw something strange or unfamiliar. And I also slightly lowered my head because it felt awkward.

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After we all remained silent for a while, Sirzechs Lucifer-sama asked again.

"Then, for this Sacred Gear to be considered and concluded to be a Longinus, does that mean Rey has already tried it and it's proven?"

"Yes."

Mephisto-jiisama gave a small nod at the question and then he pointed his hand at Kulshedra-san.

"This lady, Lady Kulshedra, is actually a Dragon. It was Rey who summoned her and made a pact with her."

Hearing Mephisto-jiisama's statement, the Four Devil Kings and Grayfia-san looked at Kulshedra-san.

"Dragon?"

"Kulshedra?"

"Hnn....Never heard of it."

"Hmm..."

And seeing the gazes and questioning expressions of the Four Devil Kings, Kulshedra-san then chuckled.

"Kukuku…. Just think of me as an unpopular Evil Dragon."

"""""Evil Dragon!?"""""

The Devil Kings and Grayfia-san were shocked and wide-eyed at Kulshedra-san's statement.

That was because the Evil Dragon was the name for High and Strong but troublesome Dragons. The Evil Dragons are known as battle addicts, troublemakers, destroyers, and other negative things. That's why most of them had died exterminated or sealed.

So, since in her original world Kulshedra-san was the destroyer of civilization and moreover she had the title of "Disaster Dragon Spirit Queen", then Tiamat-san classified her as an Evil Dragon by the standards above. Yeah, right.

"Kukuku...."

""""How about....""""

After that, they turned their gazes to Scathach-sama.

So Mephisto-jiisama 'introduced' her.

"Uhh.... This is Lady Scathach. She is Rey's master."

"....Think of me as a goddess who just happens to have a lot of free time."

""""""Wha!!!???""""""

Once again the Devil Kings and Grayfia-san looked dumbfounded and as if they couldn't believe what they just heard.

Then, it was their turn to look at Sakuya-san.

And Sakuya-san stood up and bowed for a moment then introduced herself.

"My name is Sakuya Izayoi.... Just think of me as someone who happens to be quite similar to Grayfia-sama."

""""""....""""""

After the "introductions" of the three ladies, the Devil Kings and Grayfia-san fell silent with expressions that varied between shock, curiosity, astonishment, confusion, and such.

And that's their reaction from knowing only a fraction of the three women. If they found out that each of them was a Civilization Destroyer on par with the Dragon God Ophis, a Godslayer, and someone who could manipulate time…. Yeah, I can imagine that.

I can only smile wryly because I understand their feelings.

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After a moment of silence, the Four Devil Kings had regained their composure and then they spoke.

"I... don't know what to say. Hah~"

Falbium Asmodeus-sama let out a long sigh and crossed his arms over his chest.

"I-It's quite sensitive indeed."

Sera-san looked a bit tense.

"What makes me wonder the most is.... I know the name "Scathach". It was the name of a female warrior in ancient times who was also the teacher of Cu Chulainn. But as far as I know, according to records she died thousands of years ago. Then how could...."

Ajuka Beelzebub-sama looked at Scathach-sama intently and wonderingly.

"Just the fact that he is a descendant of Rofocale is enough to become a topic of long debate. And now added with possessing an unusual new Longinus and also having a pact with an Evil Dragon. If other people, especially those with strange thoughts, know about this. I'm afraid...."

Sirzechs Lucifer-sama visibly frowned.

"Rey..."

While Grayfia-san looks at me worriedly.

"Hah~.... I know what you guys are thinking. That's why I don't want others to know too much about Rey and the others.... In fact I didn't even intend for Lady Scathach and Lady Kulshedra to come to the Palace. But they themselves who wanted to come because they were worried about Rey and curious about you guys.... And I couldn't do anything about it. Haahh~...."

Mephisto-jiisama sigh deeply.

"Sorry...."

I lowered my head slightly feeling guilty.

Yes. Yesterday when we were discussing over dinner, Mephisto-jiisama had hoped that Scathach-sama and Kulshedra-san wouldn't come to the Palace. But because they were worried about me, they insisted on coming along. In fact, Mephisto-jiisama guaranteed that it would be fine and moreover I myself could also take care of myself and also be accompanied by Sakuya-san. But they persisted because they were worried about me and also because they were curious about the Four Devil Kings.

Meanwhile, Kulshedra-san and Scathach-sama who were the hot topics were quietly enjoying the tea that Sakuya-san had been serving us for some time.

"Hah~.... Never mind. Now let's talk about the preparation for Rey's exam later. How about it?"

Mephisto-jiisama shifted the subject and asked.

"Everything is ready. Only Rey is left to take the exam."

"That's great."

Mephisto-jiisama gave a small nod hearing the answer from Lucifer-sama.

"What should I do for the exam later?"

I raised one hand and asked.

Sirzechs-sama also answered me.

"Because the promotion situation this time is a little different where Rey who was previously only a half-blood is directly promoted to High-class and moreover to become the Head of a Noble Family, there are four main stages that must be passed to be deemed worthy of being a High-class Noble."

Sirzechs-sama then raised one hand and pointed it up.

"First is a written exam where the main topic is about Devil and its intricacies."

"Uhh... I don't really know much about that."

I doubted my knowledge of devils. Because, though I did occasionally get told by my late mother, Governor Azazel, or the others about devil stuff, but that's quite rare and only about things that are quite common and ordinary.

"The second is an aristocratic etiquette test and such."

"Guh.... That's moreover."

Even though I am a son of Noble Lady, I have never experienced the life of noblety!

"Haha.... I had anticipated this.... So, Grayfia volunteered to teach you about the knowledge of devils as well as the ethics of nobility."

Hearing Sirzechs-sama's statement, I breathed a sigh of relief.

"Huh~.... Thank you, Grayfia-san."

I thank Grayfia-san and she smiles at me.

"Third is a test of strategy and leadership."

"Hmm...."

During my two year training camp, Scathach-sama and the others would sometimes give me advice, guides, and such for leadership and strategy, so I guess I have hope.

"The fourth and final is the practical test."

"Practical test?"

"Yes. At this stage, you have to show your skills. Be it magic skills, martial arts, or whatever it is."

"I see...."

I guess I don't need to worry too much about that. After all, I've spent three years training. It would be embarrassing if at the practical test later my performance would be disappointing. It was the same as making Scathach-sama who had trained me lose face. And I'm afraid… I'll be stabbed by a red spear if that happens.

"If the scores of your four tests have an average of ≥75% of the total score that can be obtained, then you will be deemed to have passed and be worthy of being recognized as a High-class Noble Devil.... That's all."

The pass requirement is to get an average score of more than 75%!? That's very high!

Was it because I was promoted directly from Low-class to High-class and also to become a Head of a Noble Family so they increased the pass requirements, or was that the normal standard? Who knows.

"Hmm..."

I frowned thinking about the pass requirements which are quite difficult.

But in the end I could only sigh and accept.

"Hah~.... Fine. I'll try my best."

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