Aya was shocked at the power she released just now. She had studied a bit about magic with Mittelt to at least understand what each type was, but what she has just done was nothing like it.

She wondered if this was like Soma’s magic, but he said his magic needed a lot of things including self-hypnosis and other things to be done, and she did none of that. She just… willed a blast to happen, and it did. ​​

It was weird, but it was kinda similar to how she did not know how her Sacred Gear worked and just that it did work. The power of imagination, so to say.

Aya would have mused more about it, but her wand spoke up.

“Lady Aya, please create a shield now.”

Aya, not thinking about the address as ‘Lady’ imagined a powerful shield in front of her, creating a magical shield that held up to the thunder blast coming towards her.

She could feel her hair standing on ends at the electricity in the air and she gulped at it.

Aya tried to wave her stick to launch another blast, but it failed miserably.

“Why did it fail?” She questioned before she saw Akeno showing up in the sky and preparing to blast her with a powerful thunder from the skies.

“Lady Aya, you must properly visualize your attack, not just the results you desire. If you just think about the end result without thinking about the process at all, then I can’t do much.” Diamond said and Aya nodded her head, somewhat understanding it before taking out her Vanishing Shift, aiming at herself, and shooting.

Akeno grumbled as she saw the girl vanish just like Yubelluna did previously, but this time Akeno had truly no idea where the small girl could be and she couldn’t go about in the same way she went against Yubelluna. The halfbreed fallen did not want to kill Aya or anything like that, even her previous attack was not to the degree she would kill the girl, so Akeno naturally couldn’t just blast everything around until she hit her target.

Akeno’s sadism was reserved for strays who betrayed their kings due to their betrayal, fallen angels for being that, and some of her clients who took pleasure in being tormented by a hot high school girl with boobs bigger than their heads. Aya did not fit on any of those categories, so Akeno would not go out of her way to cause pain, and killing was, obviously, not an option even if Rias would likely cover for her.

However, it was truly not needed as proven by the moment when Aya came from behind the gymnasium and aimed her wand at Akeno.

“Diamond, go!”

“Roger, Lady Aya.” Diamond said, several spheres of mana not unlike those Issei learned to use during the training appeared around Aya, all shooting at Akeno at once.

Akeno, when sensing the magic energy, felt scarred as the amount of magic energy being released was far too high, much higher than what she herself could launch at any given time.

Without any other option, she created all defensive magic circles she knew off to fend this attack, even including a bracelet enchanted by Sirzechs’ Bishop, as to be able to create a powerful magic barrier to defend her.

///—//

On a booth, Rias felt her confidence waver slightly after seeing this blast. Her nails digging into the palms of her hands as she worried about if Akeno was fine after that last blast hit her shields.

“W-Will Akeno-senpai be safe?” Issei asked, that blast was equal to several dragon blasts shot all at once, and Dragon Blast was Issei’s strongest attack right now.

“She is, trust her.” Rias said with a confidence she did not honestly feel.

For this day she had done everything she could. She had set up this challenge, had asked her brother for help in equipment and teachers for her peerage, had managed to convince Akeno to use Holy Lightning even if as a last resort, had even talked with her brother about arranging the ‘correct’ type of judges just in case, those that would see things in the best way. Rias’ way.

She was a devil, after all. She might have refused to learn much about her society’s older traditions, but she knew to try and gain advantages where she can, especially in an honor duel.

Rias had even helped Issei with his… training, as uncomfortable as it might have been.

It was ALL for this day, for preparations as to let her be free from the restraints her parents put on her head.

Was it so wrong for her to desire to simply be a girl, to be able to at least choose who she was to marry instead of being forced into it? It was not, she decided, and she would do whatever was needed to get rid of this engagement.

But, as the dust started to settle, Rias saw how Akeno’s shields and even the magic artifact were unable to hold up to the fierce attack and how Akeno was now covered in scratches and burns. Some blood dripping down her face as she stared at Aya fiercely, resolve flooding her entire being as she again decided to use her strongest attack.

Rias felt bad for that. Not only because of how much Akeno was now injured for Rias’ own sake, but for pushing her best friend into using a part of herself she loathed so. She knew how much it pained Akeno to use anything she inherited from her father, but Rias managed to convince her to use it regardless.

As Akeno launched her strongest blast, a bolt of holy lightning descended on Aya, it was the size of a barrel in width, and descended on the girl without any mercy. All of Akeno’s power was used in this strike, even some Ultimate Class devils raising a brow at this.

Rias felt her heart palpitating faster and faster as she saw this, thinking this was it. That Akeno had won.

… It was not to be, as Akeno’s strongest strike hit a hastily made magic shield made by Aya, and was unable to pierce through it whatsoever.

Akeno gave a self-deprecating smile as she saw this. Perhaps if she had actually trained her inherent powers from the start instead of depending purely on her inherent talent for it, she could have at least breached the barrier.

However, as it was now, Akeno’s power usage was a mess, she wasted far too much power and she could not fight any further as she had never truly trained much physically where perhaps she could have had an advantage with the power and speed granted by the Queen Piece. Right now Akeno was a glorified Bishop, using magic to beat her opponents, but in terms of pure magic output, few could hope to defeat Aya using the Kaleidostick that granted her infinite mana.

Akeno, however, could not just resign even if it was pointless to keep on fighting. Even if she could not win, if she could tire Aya out just a bit more then all the better. Rias’ Queen was willing to use a power she utterly despised for the sake of her King, she would do anything for Rias and that was exactly what she set out to do.

Flying at Aya with all her remaining strength, Akeno flew around the shield Aya had made and punched Aya out, only for Aya to use her Sacred Gear and send Akeno further away. Aya tried to launch another magic blast at Akeno, but the halfbreed fallen angel managed to avoid rather well as she tried to get closer, only to be teleported away again and again.

Diamond, noticing this, spoke up.

“Lady Aya, would you mind hearing my plan?”

Aya, who was trying her best to hit Akeno who was doing all she could to evade, nodded her head.

“Wouldn’t it be best to just blast everything?”

“Huh? We can do that?” Aya asked in surprise.

“Yes, just concentrate on the image of a magic bombardment and leave the rest to me. Also, don’t worry about this flying annoyance, I am just that great a kaleidostick and can assure you that, with your defenses, she can’t do anything to you.” Diamond said and Aya noted the slightly excessive pride Diamond seemed to have, but Aya didn’t mind.

It was kind of like Soma sometimes, and he was reliable so Diamond should also be very reliable… right?

She closed her eyes and imagined what a magic bombardment would be like, imagining several blasts all over her being sent out at once.

As Aya was focusing on this, Akeno was now much more bruised and hurt, two of her wings croaked and several large patches of burnt skin showing. Even her long hair having severe damages making her need to go buy a hair growth potion if she were to keep her hair just like her mothers once was, imitating her mother’s hair just as she did the clothes, ways of talking, dressing in public, and even her housing.

However, it was not to any of that she was focusing now, instead, it was at the fact that Aya had stopped her barrage of blasts and had closed her eyes. Akeno’s purple irises shining at this, thinking this a chance and believing Aya must have finally tired out. Without hesitation she moved to attack Aya, punching the girl in the abdomen.

“OUCH!” Akeno said as her hand hurt from the impact. If Diamond could speak right now it would be gloating over her superior magical and physical defenses, an attack from a Queen who never once trained physically was completely unable to cause Aya to even register it.

Just as the Queen wanted to attack again, several magic circles appeared behind Aya.

No, ‘several’ was not the right description. It was a veritable wall of magic circles one after another showing up and all creating spheres of concentrated mana all at once.

“… Well, that is not fair at all.” Akeno said.

It was almost possible to feel the smugness of the answer that came to her remark.

“I’m sorry, but I don’t give a fuck.” Diamond said as Aya released her attack, the entire arena flashing in several colors as the attack went out all at once.

Not even five seconds after the strike went out Rias was already out of the doors of her booth, running desperately to the hospital set up as to see if Akeno was fine. Behind her were Issei and Koneko, both equally nervous about this.

As they got to the hospital they saw the state Akeno was at. It was most certainly not pretty, her body was injured all over and despite being taken out before any mortal damage could be done, it was still a terrifying sight.

Upon seeing her best friend in this state for her sake, Rias collapsed on the floor with sad eyes. Akeno had done absolutely everything she could, and it all was still not nearly enough to defeat the power of ‘Mahou Shoujo’.

If it was not this sort of situation Rias would likely have found it funny, but right now she couldn’t feel anything but dread at the peat of her stomach as her imagination ran wild, thinking about how, if any problem had happened, she would have let her longest and greatest confidant die for her own benefit.

As Rias was wondering if this was all even worth it, Akeno who was on the bed managed to open one of her eyes and put a hand on Rias’ own hand, and spoke.

“Sorry I couldn’t do more, Rias.”

As Rias heard this she cleaned off the traces of tears on the corners of her eyes and spoke.

“You did plenty, Akeno. Thank you, now leave the rest to us.” as Rias said that she turned to Issei and spoke. “Issei, use everything you can. You must avenge Akeno.”

“Hai, Buchou!” Issei said in a salute even as, in his mind, he was thinking about what she could even do against someone who basically toyed with Akeno during the fight.

Koneko, seeing this, pulled on Issei’s shirt making the young pervert turn his eyes to her.

“… Don’t forget what Buchou got you.” Koneko said, making Issei’s eyes light up as he put a hand on his pocket.

Yes, how could he forgot. Rias’ brother talked with the leader of the fallen about Issei’s gear and, in exchange for some scales and small things from it, Azazel shipped off that bracelet that let Issei use Balance Breaker. He had even talked with Draig the day previous, making a deal for more power as to deal with the fight they were now in, sacrificing his arm in exchange for more power.

He had done absolutely everything he could, and his enemy was the perfect one for him to face. Someone who he could use all his magic against without a problem and that deserved whatever came her way after what she did to Akeno.

///—//

Meanwhile, in a resting room, Aya was talking with Diamond.

“Do you think that girl is fine?” Aya asked, making Diamond sigh.

“Yes, yes, she should be fine. I controlled the output to not be lethal, do not worry Lady Aya.” Diamond said and Aya released a sigh of relief.

“That is good.” She said, making the kaleidostick to tilt its ‘head’ to the side.

“My Lady, you are as kind as the creator said you are. I thought he was exaggerating.” Diamond said, making Aya blush. “And it seems like your blush being adorable was another thing he said that is correct.”

And, just like that, Aya’s blush grew several tones redder.

However, she shook her head and decided to change gears since she didn’t want to hear about embarrassing things right now.

“Diamond-chan, can you tell me how you work?”

“Oh, it seems like my Lady wants to be better prepared for the next fight to impress a certain someone. Good for you.” Diamond said, taking a liking to embarrass Aya as she really was rather cute.

After a while Diamond started to explain to Aya about her uses and Aya kept nodding her head and asking questions whenever needed.

It would take time for Aya to fully understand how to fight with Diamond, but it was a start nonetheless.

///—//

After around half an hour Aya and Issei stood facing one another.

Aya, already dressed in her Mahou Shoujo costume, felt somewhat bad inside as she saw Issei looking her up and down. She could tell it was not really malicious, having been the target of far too many malicious gazes during the years, but Issei’s eyes right now were still unsettling and made her nervous.

As for Issei, yeah he was checking Aya out. This was his first time seeing a true Mahou Shoujo and he wanted to memorize every little detail for… later uses. Sure, she didn’t have big opai, but opai is opai and that is what mattered for Issei.

He was forcing himself to not think about the state Akeno was at since he needed the right mindset if he was to be able to win this match.

As the sign for the battle to start rang Issei showed his Boosted Gear and spoke.

“You took down Akeno-senpai, I will not go easy on you.” as Issei said that the bracelet on his arm shone and his gear sounded out.

[Balance Breaker: Scale Mail]

A full armor covered Issei’s body, it was an intricate armor made of red scales packed closely together and green gems in several parts of the body with the eyes also being in green.

As Aya stood facing him, it was like a scene straight out of a Mahou Shoujo anime as the brave young girl faced a monster trying to cause mayhem.

Aya attacked first, several magic shots flying at Issei who used his Boosted Gear’s trusts to escape and run after Aya who used her stick again, this time creating an blade of mana and launching it at Issei who punched it.

CRACK

Issei’s armor on his hand got a noticeable crack despite how tough it was, proving Aya’s power right now even if Aya was still far from truly mastering her gear capabilities.

Seeing few other options since he couldn’t overwhelm her from a distance, nor could he circle her to catch her unawares, Issei decided to take drastic measures.

‘All of nothing, for BUCHOU!’ Issei shouted on his head, putting his arms over his head and dashing at Aya while his gear kept saying BOOST over and over again.

Aya kept on blasting at Issei before he spoke up.

“Promotion, Rook!”

Issei’s body grew several times tougher as he did so. In truth it really should have been seen as an illegal measure considering the rule they cannot borrow power, but the judges were all selected by Sirzechs and knew the ‘correct’ interpretation of the rules.

Shocked by Issei’s sudden advance Aya froze for a moment before she jumped to get out of the way.

“Too late!” Issei said, managing to tap Aya’s feet as she jumped. Aya turned around in time to see Issei turn to her and, even though the armor, Aya could feel the smug smile on Issei’s face. “Now, marvel at my personal and unique magic, Dress Break!”

As Issei snapped his fingers Aya’s magic dress was ripped out from her body, making her fall to the ground naked for all to see.

Issei did not think much as he did this, only watching with a lecherous grin beneath his armor as he looked at Aya’s body.

Turning to the cameras he spoke proudly as if he could see Rias.

“Buchou, the training was not in vain! It is all thanks to you.” He said and, in her booth, Rias sighed at this display but had a fond smile at the lovable doof that was trying his best for her.

However, in another booth, Riser was not having the best of times.

No, if anything this was a day of firsts for Riser. The first time he was challenged in such a ridiculous duel, his first engagement party, and, most importantly, the first time Riser felt true, unadulterated, absolute dread and the feeling of death.

As Soma watched all that was happening and as he saw Aya curl up to try and not show her body to who knows how many lecherous devils while Issei laughed at a work ‘well done’, Riser felt like if he said the wrong thing then regardless of immortality or anything else, he would die.

When Issei seemed to prepare himself to strike at Aya with a dragon blast, likely forgetting she isn’t a devil and thus did NOT have such a good physique and was just a normal 13 to 14 years old human girl, Riser quickly used his rights as ‘king’ in this match to forfeit this match and teleport Aya away just as Issei was about to accidentally brutally murder the girl.

It was a tense few minutes before Soma spoke.

“Riser.”

“Yes?”

“… It is to my understanding that the Satan Lucifer is the older brother of Rias Gremory, is that correct?” Soma said in an incredible tone and smooth tone that contrasted well with the sheer presence of death he was emanating since he rarely, if ever, was as angry over all his thousands of years of life as he was right now.

“He is, yes.”

“And, if I were to kill every single member of house Gremory, including the staff and servants, besides Rias who I would leave as just a torso, a head, and the ability to procreate, he would not be most agreeable, correct?”

“Well, that is quite true. I don’t think he would let this sort of thing happen.” Riser said, hoping that his friend wasn’t thinking of actually doing what he just said.

Soma did not speak for a few moments, until he did.

“Would the devils mind if I kill him as well?”

And, try as he might, Riser couldn’t shake that feeling.

The feeling that Soma could and would do it.