章 32: Rating game [03]

Rating Game Arena

Bored of waiting near the building where she set traps, Merlin decides to fly through the streets of the arena. As she soars, she contemplates communicating with her teammates to check on their situations.

Using a communication spell, Merlin speaks to Erza: "Erza, where are you?"

Erza replies, "I'm heading to the center of the arena, and Nana is with me."

Bored, Merlin says, "I'll look for other opponents."

Understanding, Erza responds, "Alright. If needed, we'll meet up with Riser-sama."

Merlin bids farewell, "Okay, bye."

Merlin then tries to communicate with Yubelluna.

Yubelluna says, "Merlin, I'm a bit busy right now."

Curious, Merlin asks, "Why?"

Sighing, Yubelluna replies, "There are 8 of Hisoka's pawns in front of me."

Merlin exclaims, "Seriously?"

Yubelluna confirms, "Yes."

Merlin decides to teleport and appears where Yubelluna and Shizuku are.

The men are startled by Merlin's sudden arrival.

Yubelluna, irritated, questions, "What are you doing here?"

Merlin, with a smile, replies, "Just wanted to distract myself a bit."

One of the men warns, "Don't speak that way in front of Hisoka-sama's servants."

Yubelluna, angered, retorts, "Quiet, trash."

Yubelluna prepares an attack and launches it towards the 8 pawns, who try to dodge but in vain. The explosion hits them head-on.

Serafall announces, "5 pawns have been eliminated."

Merlin taunts, "Looks like you didn't take out all the trash."

Merlin summons a fireball and hurls it at the pawns who haven't recovered from Yubelluna's attack.

Serafall announces, "3 pawns eliminated."

Shizuku, observing the situation, thinks, "Well, I couldn't do anything this time with these two around. I hope Riser-sama won't be mad at me."

After Yubelluna's impressive actions, Merlin decides to tease a bit.

Merlin: "Yubelluna, poor Shizuku. It seems she didn't get a chance to show what she can do."

Yubelluna, irritated, responds, "Now it's my fault?"

Merlin, mocking, says, "Well, you were a bit... impulsive, don't you think? With all these explosions, Shizuku didn't even have time to act."

Yubelluna, crossing her arms, defends herself, "You attacked too. And by the way, you started with your traps."

Merlin, with a mischievous smile, replies, "The difference is that my traps are more subtle, dear."

Before the argument continues, Shizuku decides to intervene.

Shizuku, calmly, says, "It's okay, girls. No need to worry. Next time, I'll show what I'm capable of."

Yubelluna, realizing Shizuku's calmness, relaxes a bit. "Maybe you're right, Shizuku. Sorry for not giving you space to act."

Smiling, Shizuku responds, "No problem, Yubelluna. Each of us has our role in this game."

Merlin, seizing the momentary truce, comments, "Well, now that we've had some fun, how about we meet up with the other girls?"

Before Yubelluna and Shizuku can respond, Merlin raises her hand and snaps her fingers. The three disappear and reappear in front of Erza and Nana.

Erza and Nana, for a moment, assume battle positions, but once they see who it is, they relax.

Erza: "Merlin, Yubelluna, Shizuku. What are you doing here so suddenly?"

Nana, with a curious look, adds: "And why are you all smiling like that?"

Yubelluna, irritated, interrupts: "Merlin, you could at least tell us before doing that."

Merlin, jokingly, replies: "Oh, Yubelluna, that wouldn't be any fun. I like to surprise."

Shizuku, trying to calm the situation, comments: "We were just exploring the arena and decided to join you. How are things here?"

Erza, regaining composure, responds: "We were preparing to head towards the center of the arena. It seems we still have opponents to face."

Nana, excited, exclaims: "Great! I was getting bored."

Erza, intrigued by the discussion about Hisoka, remarks: "It's strange for a queen to be a man, don't you think?"

Yubelluna confidently replies: "The queen is the Evil Piece; it has nothing to do with gender."

Merlin, resting her hand on her chin, observes: "This method of reincarnation using chess pieces is quite interesting."

Shizuku agrees with Merlin, saying: "Indeed, it's a unique approach."

Nana, with curiosity, comments: "It will be fun when Riser-sama completes his Peerage."

Yubelluna sighs and says: "It's quite entertaining."

Merlin, noticing Yubelluna's tone, asks: "Yubelluna, would you like to practice magic with me?"

Yubelluna, curious, questions: "Why are you offering me this?"

Merlin smiles: "You are part of Riser-sama's Peerage; that's reason enough. Besides, I see potential in you."

Yubelluna, while looking at Merlin with interest, thinks to herself: "Merlin is a powerful mage. If I learn from her, I can become more useful to Riser-sama."

Merlin, noticing Yubelluna's contemplative expression, smiles and asks: "Any interesting thoughts, Yubelluna?"

Yubelluna, hesitating, responds: "Well, Merlin, I've been thinking that maybe learning from you could make me stronger, more useful to Riser-sama."

Merlin, encouraging, says: "I'm glad to hear that, Yubelluna. I'm sure we can enhance your skills together."

Yubelluna, determined, affirms: "I want to be a more efficient Devil for Riser-sama. I accept the training, Merlin."

Merlin, satisfied, says: "Very well. When we return to the human world, we'll start your training."

Merlin thinks for a moment and says: "If anyone wants to join us in training, feel free to participate. After all, we are all reincarnated devils."

Erza thanks but declines, explaining: "Thanks for the invitation, Merlin, but I prefer to focus on my own form of training."

Nana also declines, adding: "I prefer hand-to-hand combat. More physical training, you know?"

Shizuku, looking at the others with a thoughtful expression, mutters to herself: "I still feel very weak compared to the others. Despite having Blink, I want to participate in the fights directly, not just hiding corpses or evidence. Merlin, I accept the invitation."

Merlin says: "Alright. If you change your minds, the invitation remains open. Shizuku, you can join Yubelluna and me."

Shizuku, in a calm tone, responds: "Thank you, Merlin-san."

Merlin smiles and says: "No need to thank. We're here to support each other."

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