[Kiba's POV]
On a battlefield constructed around a massive lake, Xenovia and I each gripped our holy and Holy Demonic Swords. Meanwhile, Shirone entered her Nekomata Mode Level 2—her adult form—unleashing her fiery Kasha spirits and cloaking herself in white purifying flames.
Across from us, Sairaorg stood, radiating dense white touki (fighting spirit) from every pore. Just standing there, the sheer pressure of his aura cracked the ground beneath him.
Haha... he's incredible. If I hadn't known someone like Issei, I might've been completely overwhelmed right now.
"UNBELIEVABLE!! Just when we thought Shirone Toujou was cloaked in white aura, she's suddenly transformed into a voluptuous woman wreathed in holy flame!!"
It was Shirone's first transformation of the match, so naturally, the announcer zeroed in on it.
Well, it is a pretty dramatic visual change… Issei-kun often had trouble keeping his eyes off her during training. He'd always say it had that "limited-time premium" appeal you just couldn't miss.
Though if he stared too long, Ikki-kun would make him pay for it afterward.
"That's a technique combining Senjutsu and Youjutsu that allows temporary physical growth. Since Shirone's body isn't fully developed yet, simply gaining an adult physique improves her physical ability—especially her reach with arms and legs. For someone who specializes in close-quarters combat, it's a major advantage. Also, the white flames around her possess purifying properties. Not as potent as a holy aura, but still an elemental weakness for devils."
"I see! So even approaching her would be dangerous for an average devil. However, Sairaorg Bael is also cloaked in fighting spirit, though it's hard to distinguish through the flames. Does this mean he too has mastered Senjutsu?"
Commentator Naud Gamigin raised the question following Azazel-sensei's explanation. But another commentator, Diehauser Belial—seated opposite—immediately denied it.
"No, Sairaorg hasn't learned Senjutsu. While touki can be considered a branch of Senjutsu, his case is different. He didn't learn it—he forged it. Through relentless training, he's developed power unlike magic—raw, honed life force. If Senjutsu users manipulate natural energy, then Sairaorg is a pure touki user, mastering only his own strength."
Exactly. Sairaorg doesn't use magic or techniques—just pure physical prowess. But we know well: that doesn't make him weak.
"You are warriors who have come with resolve. I will not show even a shred of mercy. Here I come!"
He surged forward, intensifying his already formidable aura.
Every step of his charge shattered the ground. Just a tackle from him—no punches or kicks necessary—would be fatal for a mid-class devil… maybe even high-class.
He had become like a high-speed tank—unstoppable, brutal. But of course, we weren't just going to let him close in without resistance.
Xenovia unleashed slashes of holy aura from Ex-Durandal. I slammed my palm to the ground, raising a field of Holy Demonic Swords in his path. Shirone hurled her fiery Kasha spirits like guided missiles.
But—Sairaorg dodged the slow-charging holy wave. He stepped around the swords, smashing those in his way with the flat of his hand. He weaved through the flying Kasha like a circus acrobat.
"Tch! He's dodging even more sharply than last time!"
"You see it too, Yuuto Kiba? When Ikki Arima came to Bael territory, we spent day and night fighting as mascots! We had to block and dodge every attack to keep our costumes clean. That focus became a strength!"
"What were you doing?! You and Ikki-kun!?"
I knew Ikki-kun went to Bael territory… and he said he'd spar with Sairaorg. But I didn't expect his skills to improve this much.
Wait—fighting as mascots!?
"For those unaware, the Bael territory has been developing a new mascot-based PR campaign. Sairaorg, dressed as 'Bapple-kun,' began intense training—dodging full team attacks while wearing a costume that dulled his senses and had no defense spells. He fought solely to protect the mascot suit. This extreme focus elevated his technique to a new level. Early on, he mourned each destroyed 'Bapple-kun'… but donned a new suit the next day and fought on. His growth stems from true love for his homeland."
…Thank you, Diehauser-san, for that detailed explanation. I… I don't even know what to react to anymore.
"From Bapple-kun the Eldest to Bapple-kun the Twelfth… your sacrifice will not be in vain!"
Wait… a dozen Bapple-kuns died in training!? And all that in the short time since Ikki-kun visited!?
Then Rias-senpai's voice came through the comms, serious and commanding.
"Everyone, stay alert! Right now, Sairaorg isn't just fighting with the will of his fallen comrades—he's carrying the spirit of Bapple-kun, too! At this moment, he's a demon god!!"
…Rias-senpai. Since I became a devil, there are moments where I can't follow your emotional logic. But… I think you're serious. Sairaorg-san is definitely serious.
Maybe that's what it means to be the heir to a high-class devil family—operating on a completely different wavelength.
As I processed that, Sairaorg slipped through our assault and struck from behind Xenovia!
"Kh!"
She managed to pivot mid-air, barely interposing the blade of Ex-Durandal like a shield—but the impact still sent her flying to the lakeshore.
She twisted her body, landing in a crouch to break the fall.
"Impressive. You used the blade as a shield and leapt back to soften the blow."
"I've had a few sparring matches with Ikki lately, focusing on close-quarters combat. I'm used to the speed and power now… though my bones are still rattling from that one."
"I see—training for me, was it? Looks like this won't be settled so easily."
Exactly. We'd fought Ikki-kun, who mimicked Sairaorg's fighting style, many times to prepare.
Sairaorg may be facing us for the first time—but we're already used to him.
It's not perfect, of course. But that advantage is huge.
"Still, the only thing I know is how to get close… and punch!"
Sairaorg charged again—this time, aiming for me!
I raised a wall of Holy Demonic Swords and fell back to hide myself.
CRASH!!
Just as I feared—the sword wall shattered with a single punch.
He locked onto me and closed the distance in a flash!
I barely dodged his punches and kicks, but even the shockwaves grazed me, dealing real damage.
I'm not built for defense. I need to dodge wider—but I'm at my limit.
My counterattacks can't break through his thick fighting aura either.
But then—Sairaorg missed. A wide swing, completely off-target.
I took the chance to retreat and catch my breath.
What was that just now? For a moment, it felt like… I saw myself?
"Are you alright, Yuuto-senpai?"
Shirone! I see—she must've used an illusion to shift my perceived location slightly.
A full mirage would've been easy to detect, so she created a small double that overlapped with me just enough to throw off his aim.
"At that speed, I can barely keep up…" said Xenovia, catching up.
If you stop moving against someone like Sairaorg, you'll be crushed in the next instant. But… my Holy Demonic Swords can't land a decisive blow.
Among us, Xenovia holds the greatest offensive power. We need to set her up.
"Xenovia, Shirone and I will buy you time. Can you prepare your strongest attack?"
"Of course. I'll give him a devastating blow—no holding back."
Haha… I always told her to work on her technique, but just for now, her brute strength is our best bet.
"Let's go, Shirone!"
"Right!"
As Shirone spread her arms, a white mist began to rise.
It didn't completely block vision, but its effect wasn't just for concealment.
"Hmm. I sense the presence of the Durandal user in multiple locations…"
Exactly. The mist scattered Xenovia's aura like a hall of mirrors, hiding her real position.
If she just vanished, her holy aura would eventually give her away while charging Ex-Durandal. This trick lets her prep unnoticed.
Time to stop holding back too.
I released the sword I held and created a new one in my hand.
"Balance Breaker: Forbidden Gear Activation!!"
Giant, life-sized swords materialized around me—then transformed into armored knights wearing dragon-themed helms.
Even Sairaorg was visibly surprised.
"A new Balance Breaker!? Impossible! Sacred Gear Balance Breakers should only have one form! Wait… I don't feel any demonic aura from these knights…"
"That's correct. This is my second Sacred Gear—'Blade Blacksmith,' a holy sword creator. This is my personalized Balance Breaker: Glory Drag Trooper. I took inspiration from another wielder I met in Kyoto."
Originally, I only had [Sword Birth], the demonic sword creator. But when I awakened my hybrid Holy Demonic Sword against Kokabiel, I also gained this irregular Sacred Gear.
Still, since [Sword Birth] gives me better holy wave output and quality, I've never used this one in combat—until now.
"The standard Balance Breaker of Blade Blacksmith is 'Blade Knightmass,' which produces multiple holy knights. Kiba has manifested an evolved variant—likely empowering each knight with dragon aura. Balance Breakers aren't something just anyone can achieve, so for him to manifest two different types... Kiba's potential with Sacred Gears is astounding."
I hear Azazel-sensei's voice… but it's weird hearing him praise me in such a straightforward tone.
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