"So, this time I'd like to observe how well Sona-chan's new servants and Azazel-chan's artificial Sacred Gears are performing~"
I see. The Sitri peerage has been experimenting with those artificial Sacred Gears created by the Grigori—the watchers of the children of God—since summer break. But given how the devices are still under development and in constant need of refinement, it's hard to get an accurate read on how much the users have grown.
"And if possible~ I'd really like to see everyone in action during a battle! So, hmm... would it be alright to ask Arima-kun over there to participate as well?"
PFFFT!?
Caught completely off guard while enjoying a casual cup of "Ieyasu Tea" I nearly spat the contents all over from surprise.
"Onee-sama! You startled Arima-kun! And really, asking to see our servants' powers so suddenly is problematic. You should understand better than anyone, as someone who works as a Maou, that we need time to make proper adjustments."
"Noooo! I wanna see the new powers of So-tan's kids right noooow!"
Despite the calm reprimand, Serafall-san's large eyes welled up with tears, and then she promptly began rolling dramatically across the student council room floor.
Gross—no, wait. Maybe not. This is President Sona's turf; the place is probably spotless. Still, is that really how a devil of her stature should act?
"Please don't throw a tantrum, Onee-sama! Everyone keeps spoiling you, so now you think being selfish will always get you your way when it comes to family..."
At that moment, Tsubaki-senpai whispered to Kaichou.
"President... Serafall-sama won't stop unless we give in."
"I know, Tsubaki. In the end, granting her wish quickly and sending her off is the least damaging and most efficient solution. However..."
"...Onee-sama, you may observe a mock battle between my servants. But Arima-kun is not affiliated with the devil faction. Please refrain from casually making requests during official duties."
"Hmph, Sona-chan is such a stickler! But I really do want to see his power too, you know? The report said his abilities were extremely dangerous even from an outside perspective. I just had to see it with my own eyes~"
What kind of wording did they use in that report about my abilities...?
"Um, Kaichou. I don't mind. It is official business, and Serafall-sama's actions do make sense. A joint mock battle sounds kind of fun, honestly."
When I responded positively, the magical girl Maou's face lit up as she leaned toward Kaichou.
"See, see~ He said it's fine, so can we go ahead?"
"Even you're spoiling her now, Arima-kun...? Still, I appreciate it. I'll let Akeno know on your behalf. Could you please come to the student council room after school?"
"Understood. I'll come by later. I'll excuse myself for now, then."
Yeah... nothing good would come from staying in that room any longer. Better to bail fast!
Ignoring Saji's silent scream of "Don't leave me here!", I made a smooth retreat back to class.
========
After school, I joined the Sitri peerage—plus Serafall-san—and we used a teleportation circle to arrive in the underground Rating Game training room beneath President Sona's house.
Apparently, it's the same design as the ones under my and Issei's homes. Kaichou paid for this one out of her own pocket, though... Just how much did this cost?
Everyone had already changed into training wear, ready for the upcoming mock battle.
"Okay~ everyone~ Show me all your shiny new powers today, alright~"
Judging by the fact that none of the student council members looked particularly nervous despite a Maou's sudden visit, I figured she must drop in unannounced pretty often.
"And today's special guest is the great villainous overlord, Arima Ikki, a.k.a. All Evil! Now then, All Evil-sama, care to say a few words?"
Wait, what!?
No script? No warning? Even pro comedians would struggle with that kind of improvisation!
Think, brain! I shut out other senses, diverted all resources to mental acceleration, and stepped forward. Clasping my arms dramatically in front of me, I struck the boldest villain pose I could muster and delivered my line:
"Fuhahahaha! Surely you fools haven't mistaken my act of 'saving' the Underworld from those beasts as altruism, have you!? The Underworld, the Netherworld, and even Hell itself—I shall claim them all! I simply couldn't stand having my future kingdom disrupted. So I made them understand—with pain! In the world that shall one day be mine, chaos will not be tolerated!!"
Nailed it.
Only two people applauded.
"Wow~ That was a textbook evil monologue~ I was thinking of doing a crossover with Oppai Dragon someday. If we do, I'm casting you as 'All Evil' for sure."
[So that's All Evil, the Oppai Dragon's arch-nemesis. He's been portrayed as kind of a minor villain in the shows, but if he develops into someone this charismatic... I'm looking forward to future Chapters as a fan.]
Serafall-san and a girl dressed like a reaper shared their thoughts.
Ugh, this is so embarrassing! Why did I take that so seriously!? I should've just brushed it off like a normal person!
"I'd heard Arima-kun tends to play along in weird ways... and I see now where that reputation comes from."
Wait, that's how Rias sees me!?
Before the battle began, President Sona introduced her two new servants—Reaper girl and the stoic guy beside her.
"This is my new Knight—Bennia. She's a high-ranked reaper, a half-human, half-Orcus hybrid."
[Pleased to meet ya. Name's Bennia. Used to go by Grim Reaper, but couldn't follow Hades-sama's crazy path anymore, so I jumped ship to become a devil. Actually, I was already trying to pitch myself to my new master when Hades-sama really went off the deep end. Knowing the old him, that change was too creepy to ignore. So yeah, I became a devil.]
She removed her rather menacing skull mask, revealing a golden-eyed girl with long purple hair tied back. She even carried a scythe, though it had an oddly cute pink skull design.
Yeah, no surprise there. The current Hades does feel way off.
Kaichou then turned to the gray-haired mountain of a man beside her.
"And this is our new Rook, Loup Garou. He's enrolled in Kuoh Academy's university division. We call him Rugal. Please do the same, Arima-kun."
"Name's Loup Garou. Rugal's fine. Pleasure."
Yup, just as I thought—quiet type. Only says what's absolutely necessary.
"Nice to meet you both, Rugal-san, Bennia-san."
[Just Bennia's fine. Being called -san by someone older feels weird.]
"Alright then, let's begin the mock battle. Since Onee-sama wants to observe our peerage's strength, we'll organize it in small groups of two or three on our side. Would that be acceptable?"
Probably the best approach. I'll start by observing and playing defense.
Taking a few steps back, I began absorbing malevolent energy to raise my aura.
"...Shall I enter 'Evil One Mode'?"
"...Let's not. Just touching you in that state could kill someone. Especially for close-combat members, the match wouldn't even start. Onee-sama, will this be enough to see his power?"
I could adjust the energy output, but... it's clear they all want to keep some distance. The mood reminds me of that awkward class outcast feeling.
"Hmm~ Definitely gives off the aura of a primordial evil god. It even feels comparable to a Maou or divine being—no, quality-wise, it may actually exceed them. A mid-level devil would die just by touching you. Even high-class devils would end up hospitalized."
Serafall-san approached, cloaked lightly in her own magic, to examine me more closely. But since this is my aura, removing it from others wouldn't be difficult as long as they weren't already dead.
It's kinda like a poison I can instantly cure—but only I can.
"Thank you~ You can dial that aura down now~"
Once I stopped absorbing energy, the student council members visibly relaxed. Some were sweating, others instinctively stepping back like they were ready to bolt.
"Man, just being near that gave me a headache."
"Yeah... I really don't want to fight Arima-senpai in that state. Especially since I rely on kicks. That aura's the worst matchup for me."
"In a way, it's kind of like Sirzechs-chan. When he gets serious, he wraps himself in the magic of destruction. Touch him and you just start disappearing~"
...Wait, so Sirzechs-sama wears an armor of annihilation magic that erases even ranged attacks? How the hell do you beat that?
Maybe by launching a massive all-out assault... or draining his power in a war of attrition?
"Now then, let's begin. We Sitri peerage members haven't seen much of Arima-kun's combat ability firsthand, but his power is said to be on par—or greater—than Issei in his Cardinal Crimson Promotion or Sairaorg Bael in his lion armor. Today, we'll consider this an opportunity to learn from him."
"Yes, ma'am!"
[Looks like today's about testing the artificial Sacred Gears, so me and Rugal'll sit this one out.]
So Sona-senpai, Tsubaki-senpai, and Saji are observing while the rest fight.
"First up, Tsubasa Yura and Tomoe Meguri. Step forward."
The ones stepping up are Tsubasa Yura, the Rook, wearing fingerless gloves, and Tomoe Meguri, the Knight, wielding a katana.
"Ready when you are, Arima."
"Let's have fun~"
After a quick greeting, Kaichou raised her hand.
"Begin!"
With a sharp motion, both charged in from opposite sides. Tomoe's light-and-dark-imbued katana clashed with my left arm's pre-Balance Breaker, while Tsubasa's kick was blocked by my right arm.
They switched up their rhythm—attacking simultaneously, then alternating timing—to press me with a combo assault.
"Ugh! He's deflecting everything!"
"Seriously, how are you countering my rear attacks without even looking!?"
"He even shrugs off grapples like they're nothing!"
After dealing with attacks from 300 Youkai all summer in Kyoto, this is nothing!
As they backed off to catch their breath, I launched a low-powered foxfire blast at them.
"Unleash! My shield of light—'Twinkle Aegis, the Shield of Spirits and Glory'!!"
Tsubasa summoned a glowing energy shield on her left arm, instantly blocking the foxfire like a sci-fi force field.
Even at low power, that was a high-class devil-level attack... and she blocked it like nothing. Damn.
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100 Power Stones = Bonus Chapter
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