"I don't mind, just send representatives. Specifically, that girl from the Himejima family over there and her superior. Then the Red Dragon Emperor kid for his fame as a Sacred Gear user. And lastly, that boy who's engaged to the daughter of the West youkai's leader."
Fair enough selection. People like Irina, Xenovia, or Rossweisse don't really have strong ties to either Sacred Gears or youkai, after all. Kuroka and Shirone are originally tied to the Kanto youkai side, though Shirone is a bit of a special case.
After that, we relocated to the underground training room. Since the formation of D×D, this training facility had been reinforced using technologies from multiple factions, making it sturdy enough to withstand even mock battles without breaking. Everyone not selected stood at a distance, observing behind a deployed barrier.
Kokonoe and Ophis were sitting nearby, each holding a familiar spirit, Irina's servant Hachihaku and Asia's Rassei. Somehow this is kind of heartwarming, though Hachihaku's origin as Yamata no Orochi makes it a little complicated. I wonder if those two will become Dragon Kings someday. If so, that would make them part of the Seven Great Dragon Kings. Though realistically, that's still centuries away.
"Now then, I suppose I shall begin." With a THUNK, Nurarihyon struck the ground with his staff. Immediately, purple smoke rose on both sides, BOOM, and two youkai appeared.
"I am Rezat, a weasel-type youkai known as the Kamaitachi of the East."
"And I am Kumowatari, a lightning beast youkai." One was a humanoid weasel with sickle-like blades on its arms, the other a dog-like creature wrapped in lightning and clouds. Despite their polite greetings, their eyes burned with hostility.
"Alright then. The stage is set. Now judge for yourselves."
"Yes, sir!"
"Though I doubt all of you can handle them alone, so I'll stretch my old bones a bit too. Hey, Red Dragon Emperor kid. I'll take you on. Rezat and Kumowatari will handle those princesses over there."
"Uh, what about me?" I'm being completely ignored here.
"Don't rush. Your opponent is."
"I'll take him." A voice interrupted him mid-sentence.
"W-What the hell?! Magari-sama?!"
"W-When did she." Shirone's voice cracked in surprise.
Before anyone noticed, a seven-tailed Nekomata, Magari, was sitting calmly behind the spectators. Even Kuroka hadn't sensed her. "Tch, Kuroka. You should've noticed me by now. You're getting sloppy." Her gaze shifted. "That must be Shirone. Well, introductions can wait." And in the next instant, SHOOM, she vanished. Then appeared directly in front of me.
Yeah, even I didn't notice that. Her stealth is way beyond normal standards.
"Long time no see. Still causing plenty of chaos, I see." That sounds like I'm some delinquent.
"Good to see you again, Magari-sama. What brings you here today?"
"I just happened to be visiting the head here, so I thought I'd drop by and check on you two, and that younger cat girl. You're all improving nicely. Shirone, was it? She's already becoming a proper nekomata, or rather, a nekomyōsha."
So becoming a three-tailed form is basically the sign of maturity? And she's here just 'by chance'?! Still, I'm glad to see her.
"Sensei, she's really someone important, right?" Issei asked.
"She's an eight-hundred-year-old cat youkai elder. She's also Ikki and Kuroka's spiritual arts master," Rias answered.
"YOUR MASTER IS THAT STRONG?!" Issei sounded genuinely shocked.
I suppose I never properly explained it before. Back when I first met her, I couldn't even compare. But now, maybe my aura alone is on par. Only aura, though. Overall, I'd still lose badly. A drawn-out fight would be fatal. A quick burst might give me a chance. But this is just a mock battle, so that strategy won't work. Wait, do I actually have no chance at all? Most of my techniques come from her teachings anyway. She probably knows all my habits already.
"Please go easy on me." That was all I could manage.
=====
[Third Person POV]
The matchups between D×D and the Kanto youkai were decided, and everyone spread out. Issei, already in his Red Dragon Emperor armor, clenched his fists while hesitating whether to strike first or observe.
He just looks like an old man, but I shouldn't judge by appearances. Still, he doesn't seem hostile. Same with Ikki's opponent, but they're definitely testing us. Alright, this is me we're talking about!
Having settled his thoughts, Issei activated his boosters and launched forward. BOOM! But in that instant, Nurarihyon disappeared.
"Gone?! Damn it, where is he?!" Issei assumed illusion magic and scanned his surroundings.
"Hoh, the Red Dragon Emperor really is weak against tricks." The voice came from directly in front of him, no, from below. Their faces were nearly touching.
"Wha?!"
"Don't get scared so easily." THUD, BOOM! A sudden rolling savate kick struck Issei's armored ribs, sending him flying.
"Guh! Damn it, it was an illusion?!"
"Illusion? Don't be stupid. I didn't use any."
"Huh?"
"I just erased my presence." Nurarihyon explained calmly. He hadn't vanished, he had simply removed all traces of his presence, making him unperceivable. "You really thought the leader of all youkai just sits around drinking tea all day?"
His fighting style was simple yet terrifying. Every attack came from absolute stealth, perfect first-strike execution. And so, Issei was completely overwhelmed.
=====
Meanwhile, Rias and Akeno's battle had begun against Rezat and Kumowatari.
"Shall we begin as well?"
"This fight was originally ours. We'll take the first move!" BOOM, CRACKLE! A massive lightning strike erupted from Kumowatari, surging toward them.
"Don't underestimate me!" Rias stepped forward. She transformed the ground into multiple lightning rods, redirecting the attack safely away. "Who do you think I've been training against all this time? I have plenty of ways to handle lightning!"
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100 Power Stones = Bonus Chapter
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