Among the spectators stood a girl with snow-white hair, "a striking feature that drew the eye. A luxurious white mink stole draped across her shoulders, completing her elegant appearance. Momo Hanakai, a second-year student and Bishop in Sona's peerage, also served as a Student Council member.
In the original timeline, she'd harbored feelings for Kiba. But now, drawn by Takeyo's combination of academic excellence and handsome features, "a rare dual appeal, "she found herself developing an unusually strong attraction to him.
Her Sacred Gear was the artificial artifact "Applause Wall," created by Azazel. However, since the Governor of the Fallen Angels hadn't yet made his appearance in Kuoh, she remained without this particular tool.
"Oh my, what a shame," Tsubasa Yura remarked with a playful sigh. "If only Takeyo-kun were a bit more... wild and rugged."
Tsubasa, another girl with particular tastes, preferred boys who got dirty during fights, "the type who emerged from battle covered in mud and sweat. Unfortunately for her, Takeyo's refined demeanor didn't quite match her ideal.
If I ever used powers like the Boar's charge, Takeyo thought with mild amusement, I'd probably gain yet another devoted follower in record time.
"Well then," Takeyo said aloud, spiritual power already circulating through his body in preparation. "Shall we begin?"
For a purely spiritual confrontation, he could easily hold his own against High-Class Devils using the various techniques at his disposal.
More importantly, he wouldn't need to rely on incarnation abilities for this match.
"Ara ara, so eager, Takeyo-kun?" Akeno placed a finger against her lips, licking it lightly with a suggestive smile. "It just so happens that our tactics have been fully discussed as well."
"Everyone, pay close attention," Sona instructed her peerage members. To be precise, she was speaking directly to Tsubaki.
"Same for us," Rias added, her tone carrying a note of warning. "Remember, this is just a friendly match."
"I'm ready," Takeyo confirmed simply.
The light of a five-pointed star flashed briefly in his eyes, "the Alpha Stigma activating.
His analytical ability was now fully engaged. Any magic or technique his opponents used would be laid bare before him, its structure and weaknesses revealed.
Given that the Devils here were at most High-Class level, the Alpha Stigma alone would suffice. He didn't need to activate the omniscience granted by [Krishna the Black Sky] to enhance his perception further.
"Ready on our end as well," Akeno declared with her characteristic playful tone.
"No problems here," Tsubaki stated confidently, adjusting her glasses.
"Very well. Both sides, retreat to your starting positions," Rias ordered, directing the participants to their designated locations.
"Five hundred meters?" Takeyo muttered, observing as his opponents spread their Devil wings and took flight. "Planning to prepare a major technique first, I see. Though honestly, distance doesn't matter much to me."
He stood alone on one end of the impromptu battlefield, facing a group of winged Devils five hundred meters away. Despite being outnumbered, his confidence remained absolute.
"Match begin!" Sona announced, waving her hand to signal the start.
Incarnation!
[Rama with the Axe!]
Incarnation!
[Narasimha the Man-Lion!]
Incarnation!
[Buddha Shakyamuni!]
Only Takeyo could perceive the truth of what happened next. Three incarnations materialized behind him, shimmering forms of divine power that merged seamlessly into his body.
He'd already deployed the incarnations he'd previously used against Kuroka and Bikou, "[Vamana the Dwarf] for spatial manipulation and [Krishna the Black Sky] for energy absorption and omniscience. Those powers worked best against overwhelmingly strong opponents, ensuring adequate defense and awareness.
But here, facing only Superior Devils? Such precautions were unnecessary. None of his opponents possessed strength that would genuinely threaten him.
"And now..." Takeyo extended his hand, and a massive silver sword gradually materialized in his grasp.
The Blade of Salvation appeared in all its glory, the divine weapon Rama had carried since birth. Its holy aura far surpassed that of Excalibur, Durandal, or even Caliburn. This was a sword that embodied salvation itself, a weapon of absolute dominance.
He deliberately chose not to summon Est. If he called upon his contracted sword spirit, the damage inflicted on Devils would be catastrophic, "far too excessive for a mere friendly exhibition. There was no need to permanently harm anyone over a simple demonstration of capability.
"An unknown artifact? Or perhaps an inherited weapon?" Rias murmured, her analytical mind already working.
Sona's eyes widened slightly as she sensed the danger emanating from the blade. "That aura... even a direct hit would leave us seriously injured at minimum."
Both heiresses recognized immediately that this was no ordinary weapon. The sword radiated power that commanded respect and caution.
Takeyo, however, had never been one for crude applications of force. He preferred technical precision over raw violence.
"Their Knight is rushing toward me," he observed calmly. "The Knight and Queen are preparing techniques in the rear. The Rook handles protection duties. A very sound, very basic formation."
It was indeed a fundamental tactical arrangement. His opponents had likely heard about his teleportation abilities from Koneko, prompting them to avoid a scattered formation that would make them vulnerable to being defeated one by one.
Instead, they'd opted for a concentrated defense, planning to overwhelm him through coordinated assault.
"But this time," Takeyo mused aloud, a slight smile playing at his lips, "I have no intention of employing technical finesse. After all, this match exists specifically to demonstrate my strength."
"Takeyo-kun, watch out!" Kiba's voice rang out across the battlefield.
Rias's Knight, Yuuto Kiba, along with Sona's Knight, Tomoe Meguri, were closing the distance at astonishing speed, "supernatural velocity that made them appear as little more than blurs.
"Kiba, I appreciate the warning," Takeyo replied, his tone conversational despite the rapidly approaching threat. "But I think my swordsmanship is... adequate."
He began walking. Not running, not launching himself forward, "simply walking, a measured pace that seemed absurdly casual given the circumstances.
He moved directly toward Kiba and Tomoe, who were charging at him with weapons drawn. There was no hesitation in his stride, no defensive posture. Just steady, confident forward momentum.
"Then I must respectfully request instruction, Takeyo-san!" Kiba called out, his speed not diminishing in the slightest.
"Sona," Rias said, her voice carrying a note of curiosity, "I don't recall Takeyo-kun joining any clubs at our school. He's not a member of the Kendo Club, is he? Have you ever seen him use swordsmanship?"
"No, never," Sona admitted, watching intently. "However, Takeyo-kun possesses exceptional learning and memory abilities. Perhaps he's studied swordsmanship techniques from various sources? Or..." She paused, considering the implications. "After awakening his bloodline abilities, he may have inherited swordsmanship knowledge as well."
"Whether that's true or not," Rias decided, "let's observe their contest first."
In martial arts, actual combat revealed truth more reliably than any amount of theoretical discussion.
"Haaaaaa!"
It was Tomoe who struck first, her voice ringing out as she launched her attack before Kiba could engage.
Their behavior remained remarkably restrained, "if these had been true enemies, they certainly wouldn't have announced their attacks with battle cries. But this was a friendly exhibition, not a life-or-death struggle.
"Useless," Takeyo stated simply.
He raised the Blade of Salvation with minimal effort, angling it precisely.
From a seemingly impossible position, his blade met Tomoe's sword.
CRACK!
The outcome was never in doubt. Tomoe's weapon shattered on impact, fragments spinning away from the point of collision.
Even if Durandal clashed head-on with Caliburn or the Blade of Salvation, it would develop notches and cracks under repeated impacts. How could an ordinary high-quality sword, no matter how well-crafted, possibly withstand even a single blow?
Tomoe Meguri was a second-year student from a family of exorcists based in Kyoto. Like many girls at the academy, she harbored a particular fondness for younger boys and was known to be quite taken with Gasper. Her weapon should have been the artificial Sacred Gear "Blazer Shining Aura Darkness Blade Samurai Sword" crafted by Azazel.
But at this stage in the timeline, the Governor of the Fallen Angels hadn't yet arrived in Kuoh to distribute such gifts.
"Tomoe-san, use this!" Kiba shouted, his Sacred Gear activating.
A sturdy sword materialized in his hand through Sword Birth's power, and he hurled it toward his fellow Knight.
Kiba's Sacred Gear, the ability to create demonic swords, showed considerable potential. With sufficient development, reaching High-Class Devil status was virtually guaranteed. Achieving Maou-class strength, however, would require something extra, "the Balance Breaker state, or perhaps evolution into a Holy-Demonic Sword configuration.
"You can still work toward that evolution," Takeyo commented, more to himself than anyone else. "But you'll need to invest considerable effort."
He raised his hand casually, and the air itself seemed to explode with force.
Two swords collided mid-flight!
CRACK!
Just as before, Kiba's created blade shattered against the Blade of Salvation. Fragments rained down toward the ground below.
"It's not finished yet!" Kiba declared, determination burning in his eyes.
Two more swords materialized in his hands, one in each grip. This was the essence of his dual-wielding style, "when one blade broke, he could immediately create another. While one hand engaged, the other could forge a fresh weapon.
"Kiba-san," Takeyo said with a slight smile, "please step aside for a moment."
After shattering the second demonic sword, Takeyo moved with a mysterious footwork technique, his body seeming to flicker and phase.
"Ha!"
In Kiba's expression of utter astonishment, as his sword swung forward, Takeyo materialized directly beside him.
Speed equal to or even surpassing his own Knight-enhanced velocity!
Kiba was absolutely certain this wasn't teleportation, "it was pure bodily movement, refined technique combined with supernatural physical capability!
☆☆☆
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