Chương 94: Rating Game: Concluded

Masaru watches how Riser lost his will to stand, looking like a salted fish that lost the will to live any further. He did not feel pity for this brat who lived his life extravagantly, it was high time he suffered seriously so he could learn to appreciate he has around him.

"That is what happens when a noble child becomes useless, now he is simply a child of Lord Phenex but have no power as a noble..." Masaru muttered, he glances at his disciple that was blushing deeply when Rias came to hug him in front of everyone.

"You fool! Why have you sacrificed your heart for someone like me?" Rias asked with tears converging at the corner of her eyes.

"It's a good deal, for someone who is as weak as me could get such strength. I managed to save you" Issei said while feeling slightly proud, he managed to save her from a nightmare.

"But you only managed to stop this once, another talk for marraige will come again" Rias said with a sad tone, Issei's sacrifice for her touched her deeply and she could only look at him consciously at a man. Not her pawn.

"Then I will sacrifice my arms, then my legs, then my eyes. I will keep saving you each and every time--" Issei was stopped when Rias kissed him infront of everyone, despite her embarrassment she had chosen in her heart.

"I have decided..." Rias muttered as she glanced in the direction her parents were at, she will face them and make her intentions clear.

"You arranged this haven't you?" Sona asked looking at the scene where Issei being kissed by Rias, although she was happy for her friend being saved. She could not understand why Masaru would train Issei, and even made him sacrifice his heart for Rias. 'Is he purposely pushing Issei forward to become Rias's husband? But that boy wants to become a Harem King'

"No, I simply asked Issei how serious he felt of Rias. This is his answer" Masaru said feeling proud, he too would give up anything if he had to save his important ones. He made the right choice, with this he knew that Rias will no longer face any problems in the future with her relationship.

And the rumours of the two households will be put to rest, although another rumour would arise against the Gremory household. 'Now your hardest test comes from this moment, you best endure the rumours if you are serious of having her, my stupid disciple' Masaru thought

Sona never would have imagined seeing such a scene play in front of her, it was really too shocking.

"Luckily it appears after I spoke with both households about their way of forcing their ideals on their children, and the one specific household being a bit too lenient with his rampant son that does nothing but destroy their family image. Has been put to good use, with this there will be some peace and quiet" Masaru muttered nonchalantly about this issue since he believe it was finally over.

"Well with this Rias is free, I have fewer problems to deal with now that the event is over. And you can finally get some sleep Sona" Sona looked at Masaru with surprise.

She had hidden the fact she had sleepless nights over this situation as she was really worried about Rias, she had thought of solutions to help Rias since she was scared Rias might lose control and commit suicide to protect her pride as a woman.

"How?" Sona asked,

Masaru smiled warmly looking at the projection for the Rating Game shutting down, "Who is playing the most chess against you, the first rule of winning chess is to observe not only the moves your opponent makes but your opponent as well"

Masaru answered standing up together with his peerage taking their leave, there was no longer any need for him to watch over this anymore, Sona was really shocked, even blushing a bit when she recalled he told her he was observing her closely.

"Ahem! Sona Kaichou, we have to work that needs our attention" Tsubaki spoke to save her King from embarrassing herself in front of her peerage, Saji who saw this grits his teeth tightly thinking his competition to earn Sona's affection is too strong.

"Yes, everyone let's move out" Sona spoke strictly while adjusting her glasses, she even scolded herself for allowing her heart to flutter like that.

>\/<

"Lord Sirzech, the rating game space has been reset thanks to Ajuka's staff" Grayfia reported to Sirzech who was currently just leaning against his chair, he was relieved that everything went better than he prepared for since he made sure to have a backup plan using the Red Dragon Emperor Host, Issei Hyoudou for his next plan if Rias were to fail the match.

"Can you get the information about the potions Rias and her team used during the games if those are effective as we saw then we can start saving up the phoenix tears for our real battles and use these potions for Rating Games." Sirzech looked at Grayfia who nodded before disappearing,

Sirzech gently caresses his chin as he thought about the boy who refused to get involved but in the end still gotten involved. 'Wonder how I should reward him for helping me? He really done me a massive favour and two different places.'

>\/<

"To think the boy already created something that can replace the Phoenix Tears in Rating Games" Lord Phenex spoke while he was reading the Rating Game report he has just recently received.

The new potions were groundbreaking as they could replace the Phoenix tears in the games allowing the Phenex Family to supply more phoenix tears for the army who is fighting to defend their borders.

Not to mention the potions were fast but much slower in healing wounds and recovering energy, making the Rating Game much more interesting since the teams would have to plan when to use the potions. More elements, make the game even more amusing.

"Father... Uhm" Ravel spoke hesitatingly

"What is it, Ravel?" Lord Phenex looked at his daughter full of affection but it soon cramps up.

"I want to learn more about the Red Dragon Emperor boy" He was not certain how to take his daughter's request.

"You can ask Isabella and the girls to investigate him for you, you can also meet him at the Young Noble Gatherings that is in two months time" Lady Phenex answered in her husband's place causing the poor old man to wonder just what that dragon had done to his daughter.

>\/<

Masaru just arrived home when he saw Grayfia was currently drinking tea together with Diana.

"I'm Home" He muttered allowing the two ladies to look towards him, the girls went on ahead to get washed so he could talk with Grayfia who was here for him.

"Apologies for disturbing you right after the rating game but I came by orders of Lord Sirzech," Grayfia said with a rare smile, ever since Masaru assisted Rias she felt she could be more open with him.

Masaru nodded taking his seat opposite of her.

Getting straight to the point, Grayfia asked, "Is it possible if you can share the information about the potions with us?"

Masaru shook his head, a sly smile appear on his face causing both Diana and Grayfia to look at him with surprise as they knew what kind fo smile this was. Business, strictly business "I can allow you to see it in action and sell them to you, however, the recipe will remain mine and I hope you will not try to replicate it through reverse engineering."

"What would happen if we do?" Grayfia asked,

"You will create a poison capable of killing ultimate ranks, or more appropriately Fake Ultimate ranks or lower. There is a peculiar ingredient used in this potion, two flowers having the exact same characteristics and DNA structure yet they are different. It is very difficult to explain, but if you use the wrong flower, you will end up killing anyone who drinks it" Masaru answered her question causing Diana to have a cold sweat, she glanced at Grayfia hoping she will not consider doing this.

Grayfia knew like Diana, that Masaru would not lie when it came to the interest of the Devil World. So she nodded while Masaru added on, "No Offence but the Phenex Family has complete monopolization over Phoenix Tears, no one can compete against them or replace them since the ingredients for the tears requires their family bloodline."

"So for me to compete against them, I need to keep the recipe for our use. I can split the market with the Phenex Family, they can support the Military with their tears and the Belial will support the Rating Game with the potions since my father is the Emperor of Rating Games after all" Masaru answered with a tone that gave an underlining message that it was not up for negotiations. This was his condition.

Grayfia sighed as she knew getting the recipe will be impossible, and trying to recreate the potion comes with a price as Masaru already explained it. She nor Sirzech could not ask Ajuka to help since the master of Masaru would naturally take the side of his disciple.

"I can at least guarantee that Ajuka knows of this potion and will vouch for me if that can put you at ease," Masaru said with a smile, mentioning Ajuka was both assurance and warning that they would not get help from him.

Grayfia nodded as this will put her at ease, the leading figure of the Research for the Devils were naturally Ajuka so having him approved of it meant it was absolute. "I appreciate the endeavours you have accomplished for the sake of the devils, thank you" Grayfia said while bowing to him.

Masaru shook his hand to say it was fine, having the queen of a Satan bow to him was more stressful than thanks.

Once Grafia left, the family had their dinner.

>\/<

The next day during school break time Akeno was currently chatting with Rias who called her over to talk about something which appeared to be important from the manner Rias was acting, "Akeno, how do you handle it? Sharing Masaru with the other girls?"

Akeno was taken aback by this question, she then remembered that Rias kissed Issei and probably chosen him as her candidate. However, like Masaru, this boy wanted to create a Harem. Since she already had experience in being part of a Harem, she smiled playfully at her friend that was bashful like a normal teenage girl "And why would you ask this of me? Rias did something happen?"

Rias blushed lightly while fidgetting a bit before whispering in Akeno's ears, Akeno's smile widen from the surprise she just received. "You--- really feel for him that way!?"

Rias thought for a moment before answering "I am not certain yet, I do have an interest in him as a man but... I am not certain yet"

Akeno sighed thinking her friend was growing up, she was enjoying herself seeing such a different kind of Rias. She knew Masaru had a hand in this, however, since she saw Issei's determination to protect Rias in person she approved of him to have Rias.

Akeno could tell the reason Rias was interested in Issei was the fact he was not scared to stand up for her, even in front of Masaru regardless of his life. She smiled as she gave a piece of advice she could as a friend "Well, to answer your question it is hard to handle it, the envy of seeing Masaru together with the other girls. I want to keep him to myself, but the girls too feel the same way I do. However, Masaru would not let any of us go for anyone. He treats us equally, and spoils us in the manner we wish to be spoiled"

"The question would be for you, is he worth it? To share? Not to mention you have to consider how much you really like him first" Akeno looked at her friend who was not used to having a real love relationship as she continued,

"At the beginning, it's hard at the time to endure but at times it easy, any relationship is not always moon and flowers as it is about finding the middle point that connects both sides equally. In this case, Masaru is the middle point for all of us, so it is our task to get along with one another while it is Masaru's task to love us all equally... Which is how it is right now... We already found the centre that allowed us to live in harmony" Akeno explained their situation in hopes Rias could grasp her own answer through this.

"What would that be?" Rias looked at Akeno who smiled,

"Masaru will never choose a first wife or second because he believes we girls are all equal, however, in order to allow us, girls, to vent our frustration of envy we hold a competition of our own without Masaru knowing so we can decide who is the #1 girl for the day to get first spoilt by Masaru for the week" Akeno smiled.

Rias was a bit confused why they would compete against each other secretly, Akeno giggled as she could understand why Rias was confused but such things, could only be experienced not explained. "When you start dating him you will naturally come to understand everything I just told you as it will help you greatly... In these kinds of situations"

Sudden the girls could hear Issei scream "How Unfair!"

>\/< Little rewind to just as Akeno and Rias began chatting

"Barold I have checked your match in the Rating Game, your weakness is quite similar to how it was for Everest, your strong power and Defence in your dragon form is perfect but without speed to touch your opponent you will naturally be toyed with" Masaru was moving fast around Barold using Trackless steps to disappear and reappear at strange places.

"Your power over dragons, can't you use those to temporary boost your senses like your eyes and ears to that of a dragon? or the feeling of touch? If you can increase these you can then predict where your opponent is heading if you trained it hard enough. Not to mention, you will need to constantly experience a life and death moment to hone your instincts to immediately detect danger" Barold who heard this possibility began to close his eyes, he never done this before but since Masaru was moving around him this was the best training he could ever ask for.

"Kiba, what is Sensei talking about? I can understand some things but some I can't" Issei spoke to Yuuto who was seriously listening to Masaru's teach Barold.

"Issei, your weakness is quite many. the time it takes for you to reach max boost, your defence, your battle techniques. What Masaru is doing right now is pointing at Barold's weakness and gives him a suggestion to improve himself" Yuuto explained.

Issei nodded thinking hard about his weaknesses, there was simply too many! He can only train hard with guts, it appears he will have to ask his sensei for another hellish training but when he remembered it he immediately dismissed the thoughts. It was really hell.

Barold however although it was subtle he could start to feel and hear the movements of Masaru around him since his eyes were closed, but Masaru stopped in front of him tapping his shoulder, "That will be all for today, you finally found it right?"

Barold nodded, he found a way to improve his abilities. "Thanks, Masaru"

Masaru smirked "No need for thanks"

He turned around leaving the Gremory peerage behind as he got a date with Angelica today,

"Where is he going?" Issei asks Barold,

"He is off for a date"

Issei grip his head screaming to the skies "How unfair!"

>\/<

"You look quite attractive with your school uniform on, we should have dated with it one a long time ago" Masaru Lamented feeling this girl really looks beautiful in her academy uniform no matter how many times he looks at it.

"Thank you, sorry for keeping you waiting" Angelica spoke while hooking her arms around his left arm leaning against him.

"Since I promised to take you on a date I naturally prepared to take you to the right place" Masaru and Angelica went into one of the less active streets making sure there was no one around before they teleported away.

The smell of salty winds blew against their faces, the sounds of crashing waves and cries of the flying seagulls. It was Bergen, the city of Norway near the harbour which was the location Masaru promised to take Angelica to at least once.

Angelica was quite happy with the surprise that she gave Masaru a kiss of his cheeks while walking excitedly looking at the buildings, the floating boats and even at the people that were walking around.

'She really is cute this way' Masaru thought as he followed her around, but suddenly Masaru operated his Demon Energy and Ki palm striking the head of an old man that came quite fast to touch Angelica's butt however he failed miserably as he miscalculated or he purposely took it head on, Masaru's strength.

BOOM!

The old man crashed into the sea with Masaru looking down into the sea as he could sense this old man was still alive, he pulled Angelica into his embrace when he felt the old man teleported nearby facing them. "Hoho, it seems your quite a feisty one keeping such a beautiful girl to yourself"

Masaru naturally knew this pervert, he was lucky he managed to send this old man flying considering how strong he really is.

"Odin, I understand you like girls but try to keep your hands from what is mine" Masaru spoke,

"So you do know of me huh? Oh yeah, I remember you being here before" Odin nods approvingly at Masaru, he remembered this boy when he tried to get a sense for his thoughts but was blocked mysteriously. Ever since, he kept wondering if he could meet this boy again.

"Odin! You went and tried to harass another girl!" Rossweisse scolded Odin for a while when she was about to apologize Angelica touched her mouth remembering this girl

"The pitiful valkyrie" Rossweisse who heard this felt offended but first wanted to know where this title comes from but Angelica continued before she could ask.

"Without a boyfriend" Masaru lightly chopped Angelica's head while Rosseweisse was already breaking into tears,

"Sorry about that, I had to share some memories of this place with my peerage which is why they know of you two" Masaru bowed politely.

Odin caresses his bead feeling quite intrigued with this boy, "You're quite interesting, I heard a lot about you from Azazel boy"

Hearing this Masaru could naturally understand the hidden meaning behind his words, "I will be sure to pay you back as compensation but my girls are off-limits" Odin who heard that lamented but Masaru knew this sly old fox was bloody happy,

"I will be sure to use it soon boy, so when I do I look forward to the time we will spend together," Odin said with a meaningful smile

Masaru coughed "Please don't make it sound like a date old man, I'm straight"

Odin almost floored when he heard what Masaru said, he was shocked, then became angry then screamed "I prefer girls with big breasts! I have no likes for males! NONE! WHAT! SO! EVER!"

Masaru nodded and pointed at Rossweisse "No wonder she is your secretary"

Rossweisse who heard this covered her clothed breasts walking away from Odin who felt wronged, but nothing he said could change it for the better because of what he declared.

"But then again, make sure to give me a heads up old man, I will be sure to help out" Masaru waved while leading Angelica away for their date.

"Odin, who is that boy" Odin caresses his beard finding the conversation he had with the boy to be truly amusing for his long life.

"He is the person Azazel and Sirzech arranged for us when we make our move" Rossweisse naturally understood what this meant, the previous events that occurred allowing them to know of Loki's attempt to start Ragnarok were this boy.

'he does look quite handsome... NO no no no! What the hell are you thinking Rossweisse! He already has a girl and a beautiful one at that' Rossweisse gripped her head trying to shake off her fantasy, Odin, however, smiled meaningfully.

"Table for two?" The Waitress asks Masaru and Angelica who just came to the nearest cafe to eat a snack before they head back home.

"Yes please" Masaru answer and follows the waitress into the cafe where they took their seat near a window.

"Was that Odin?" Angelica asked feeling quite shocked at how perverted that old man really was in front of him, Masaru simply laughed it off.

"Yes, he lived a very long life so he would naturally do things to make his life even more interesting for him but don't worry he won't cross the line other than raising your skirt or blatantly stare at your breasts" Masaru could only smile wryly, he was not at the level to handle that old man so he will only be able to endure it for now and later pay him back for each and every attempt he did.

"Thank you for bringing me here today" Angelica smiled sweetly towards Masaru who was currently taking a sip of his cold drink.

"It's my pleasure, since seeing you smile so beautiful is more than enough a reward for me" Angelica blushed lightly looking out the window, this place was truly amazing.

It was different from the atmosphere of Japan especially how the buildings are designed is really similar to a fishermen town near the harbour but suddenly a high tech Modern City in the centre.

After enjoying their snacks Angelica and Masaru walked along with the harbour allowing Angelica to enjoy the scenery to her heart's content, however, Masaru pulled her into his embrace and kissed her lightly at first before Angelica kiss him deeper since she felt really happy. To travel around places.

>\/<

When the date was over Masaru and Angelica teleported back but they came across a problem, although it was not a problem for Masaru but it would be a problem for Rias.

In front of him were two girls wearing shaggy robes, the girl on this left was a young woman with chin-length blue hair with a dyed green fringe on the right side, brown eyes, underneath the shaggy robe was a voluptuous body wearing a black, skin-tight, short sleeve leotard with pauldrons, matching fingerless gloves that extend to her biceps, and thigh-high boots, all of which are adorned with straps.

On the right was another young woman with violet eyes, long chestnut coloured hair tied into twin tails, each held with a blue scrunchy, she is wearing the similar outfit as the girl on the right including the both of their swords are covered in white cloth to prevent it from exposure to the public eys.

According to his information from his spies, this was Xenovia Quarta and Irina Shidou, he was particularly a bit repulsed at Shidou not because of her but because of her father who tried to kill his aunt and uncle-in-law.

"What is the two promising exorcists of the Church doing in this town without meeting the Lord of this Territory?" Masaru asked nonchalantly.

Xenovia took a battle-ready stance looking at Masaru with a serious expression, she knew of him from the information they were given and he was marked as a target not to be antagonized, Irina looked at Masaru quite curiously as she noticed he held no killing intent and simply wanted to know why they are there.

"We were trying to gather donation for my journey funds from the people but no one has faith! Oh God please forgive these ignorant peons!" Irina grips her cross necklace praying while Masaru looked at her as if he was looking at an idiot.

"You do know donations are only given out of the free will, not demanded? Do you even know what donation means?" Masaru asked as he truly found this girl interesting, she was simply too naive!

Irina pouted as she declared proudly "Of course I know, I previously lived here in Japan. Donations mean giving money so God can bless them and forgive them"

Masaru nodded with a serious expression, "So if I kill that old lady there, and pay you then will I be forgiven?"

Hearing this question Irina was stumped, how to answer this was difficult. Since she was not occupied in trying to find the answer Masaru looked at Xenovia.

"Now why are you two here?" Masaru asked to Xenovia.

Xenovia relaxed her guard a bit but was still vigilant, "The Excaliburs of the church was stolen by Kokkabiel and a few of his lackeys, we have followed them up to here and is currently searching for them"

Masaru rubbed his forehead, when he heard this he remembered that those fools of Khaos Brigade mentioned this and intend to use it to attack "Let me guess, you have no idea where only know that is in this town... So you intend to search the whole town while asking every single person for donation for your church?"

Xenovia nodded as if it was the most natural thing to do "Yes"

Masaru was floored, he thought Xenovia would have a smarter head. To think even this girl was uselessly naive in certain areas, he felt he simply could not believe was he just heard 'My god!' He felt a headache but the shock was much bigger.

"I suggest you two go meet Rias Gremory first and tell her of your mission to avoid misunderstandings. Also, try to keep those swords hidden as there is someone in her peerage that will try to break it" Masaru said with a serious voice,

Xenovia felt she heard a real joke, "Break? That is impossible unless we are dealing with a real strong monster"

Masaru only shook his head not feeling the need to explain what he meant, he gave the two poor pitiful girls some money to help them get by before leaving.

Irina just snapped out of her stupor "No, can't forgive it. Killing is bad! huh? Where did he go?"

Xenovia looked at her friend who took a while to get her answer and sighed, "He already left, he gave us some money and we need to go meet with that Devil King's sister, Rias Gremory"

Irina nods but she became serious as she declared "Yeah! But when I meet him I will tell him killing innocents is wrong!"

Xenovia shook her head, her friend was too hyper for her good.

>\/<

The next day, the school was totally boring. Masaru sighed, the pile of homework the teachers decided to hand out for the students to complete before the parent visitation day was simply too much.

"Masaru, when are we going to spar again?" Sakura spoke, this girl left the Kendo Club ever since she became a Devil as she could no longer feel any challenges among other students, the only one who could keep up with her was Masaru and Jeanne but the latter was currently out to patrol the school in search of perverts to experiment--- No to discipline.

"Hmm?" Masaru looked at Sakura for a moment before he could sense it, those two girls came then an idea came to his mind.

'Let's use Sakura to test those two girl's powers, I am curious as well about their ability as Exorcists... For the church to only send the two of them despite it being important artefacts that were stolen by someone who was recorded in the bible is simply too suspicious of a move from that all holier than thou angel' Masaru thought

"Come with me, someone else can fit the bill" Masaru spoke mysteriously while Sakura was following behind him, although he has gotten some nice information about Xenovia especially that sword that lies with her but from the reports he could already guess she can't wield the true power of it.

He has no intentions of taking it nor having her join his peerage because he was certain with enough information and experience he could have his people research and recreate a unique blade for his girls instead.

Just as Masaru and Sakura arrived at the Occult club they saw Rias and her Peerage followed by the two exorcists was currently heading to a nearby open ground so Masaru followed them till he caught up.

"Yo! What happened?" Masaru could see Yuuto was strange from the eyes it looks like he wants to eat something, seeing this Masaru sighed shaking his head thinking that this foolish junior saw something he should not have.

Rias sighed turn to look at Masaru before explaining, "Excalibur has been made known to Yuuto... Issei is simply dragged into this because of Xenovia called Asia a Heretic"

Masaru nodded rubbing his chin for a moment, he knew this stupid disciple of his is simply to overprotective over the girls he considered his unconsciously "Yo Yuuto!"

Yuuto looked at Masaru with a complicated face, "What is it?"

Masaru smacked the back of Yuuto's head "Oi! Even if your master is Rias, I am still your senior brother"

"Anyway, I am intruding in this battle. You can have the twin tail girl over there, she is quite hyper for her own good" Masaru pointed at Irina.

Seeing Masaru, Irina remembered the incident from before "EH!? It's you! I wanted to---"

Masaru raised his hand to stop her, "You can fight Yuuto... Xenovia was it?"

Xenovia was silently looking at Masaru wondering why he was getting involved, "I want you to face this girl over here, you had quite a lot to say of Devils. So I want to see if you have the right to say it, after facing one of my own peerage members"

Masaru pointed at Sakura behind him, Sakura looked at Masaru feeling quite surprised but then again the person in front of her was an exorcist which she never faced before so this was truly an ideal opportunity for her.

Issei felt at lost when he noticed he was no longer part of the fight, "EH!? What about me!?"

Masaru looked at him, "You're too weak my disciple, and right now is not the time for your dress break"

Issei who heard this almost floored, he knew he was weak but to simply barge in he wanted to fight but got smacked behind his head by Rias, "Issei, stand back. Let him handle it"

Issei reluctantly nodded, Masaru smirked thinking he dodged Sakura's daily sword spar plus he could witness the power of this girl himself. 'Two birds with one stone, I'm a genius!'

Masaru went over to stand near Barold, Barold look at his friend before shaking his head "You really are nosy"

Masaru shook his head looking at his friend like he was wronged, "No no, I am simply making use of that exorcist to let Sakura gain some experience but I am more curious about that girl's sword"

Barold looked at him, he knew this friend of him like making use of other people for his purposes intentionally or unintentionally. "It should be fun Barold" Masaru added as he smiled playfully causing Barold to sigh.

>\/<

"You're a pawn of Masaru Belial?" Xenovia spoke as she removed the cloth around her Excalibur of destruction.

Sakura took an Iai stance with her left hand holding the scabbard and her right hand gripping the hilt of her katana. "Sakura Tsukuba, a pawn of Masaru Belial and Swordswoman of the Tsukuba Clan"

Xenovia nodded as she respected straightforward people, especially swordsmen like her. Although she felt it was a pity that this girl was a devil. "Xenovia Quarta, Exorcist.. and your opponent"

"EH!? She is a pawn like me!?" Issei points at himself, but he knew Masaru had several pawns so he felt smug having more pawn pieces than the others, but this poor sod did not realize if his master comprehended and mastered Destruction power the pieces required to resurrect him would have been less.

"Don't underestimate her just because you have more pawn pieces Issei!" Rias reprimands her pawn and began to educate him about Evil Pieces in detail this time.

Sara waved her hand downwards signalling the start of the match, Xenovia was a pure power type came slashing down towards Sakura who could already predict that this slash contained quite a great amount of holy power so she skillfully drew her sword fast enough to deflect the attack a bit.

During her deflection, she moved away from the trajectory of the slash while slamming her elbow into the chin of Xenovia. It must be thanks to Xenovia's hard training she endured this attack since she was once under the care of her "older sister", she was not knocked out by that blow and even retaliated with a kick to the side.

Sakura squinted her eyes at this attack, with ease she evades it by spinning her body with a roundhouse kicking Xenovia in her back. With the impact of the kick, Xenovia was sent crash sliding through the ground while Sakura managed to create some distance between them

. This was something Masaru taught her as well, a swordswoman/swordsman should also be proficient in combining martial arts with their sword techniques.

"You never fought a real swordswoman other than your instructors have you?" Sakura spoke feeling a bit disappointed that the girl she was facing only focused on pure raw power.

"Your technique is crude because you focus too much on your strength... What is strength worth if you can't hit your opponent?" Sakura asked.

Xenovia who heard this was reminded that her older sister also told her about this before, but she was stubborn and did not want to change her ways. Xenovia raised her sword pouring her mana into the sword causing the sword to generate a dangerous light coloured aura.

Sakura simply sighed as she was a bit disappointed at this so she will make sure Masaru have a spar with her so she can get over this complicated feeling she was feeling, facing a swordswoman who discarded technique and focused purely on strength.

"Eat This!" Xenovia swings her sword down causing a massive crater to form followed by an explosion of berserk holy aura scattering around, before she could check where Sakura was a cold blade barely touched the skin of her neck.

"Pure Strength is all well and good, but I told you to haven't I? What is the point of this if you are not fast enough? Were you perhaps thinking devils are weak?" Sakura asked with a scornful voice, she simply could not acknowledge a swordswoman like this.

Xenovia was indeed under the assumption she was weak because she had a pawn piece, if she knew the unique characteristics then she would feel even more ashamed that she could not make Sakura use it never mind her sacred gear. Sakura pulled her sword away and went back towards Masaru.

"The match would have been better if she used the other sword instead of that fragment one" Masaru spoke loud enough for Sakura to hear this, she was curious why this girl actually held back, 'To think she would hold back in a serious duel, does she not hold pride of a swordswoman?'

Masaru gaze at the battle between Kiba who was completely toyed around with by Irina, 'That fool, just because his objective is in front of him he has gotten impatient' Masaru sighed feeling ashamed of his junior.

"Good Work, I can see you definitely have improved in finding your own style but don't let the win get to your head. There is a man who fights with a similar style as Xenovia although he has more battle experience and is incredibly strong while wielding the correct sword" Masaru said patiently while feeling proud of her, Sakura nodded but still felt happy when Masaru complimented her.

The match was over when Yuuto got injured by Irina who slashed at him with the holy sword, smoke was rising from his wound so this was how it looks like when a Devil gets attacked by holy power.

Masaru was fine using Holy magic as long as he uses his spellbook as the medium and converter for him.

"Match is over!" Sara stopped the matches while Asia went over to heal Kiba first, Masaru came and helped Xenovia on her feet, she was disheartened about her failure to win against a pawn of a devil.

Masaru lightly chopped her head awakening her from her stupor before she could ask him why he hit her he asked instead, "Are you dead?"

Xenovia shook her head, wondering why Masaru would ask such an obvious question. "Then it's good, learn from this mistake... You're in our territory so you should respect the rules even if they're the enemy of the church. Don't mix your personal feeling with your work. As for the loss here, get over it and learn from your weakness. I can't stand it, seeing the new wielder of that blade is this useless"

Masaru did not wait for her to get out of her shock as the fact she wielded Durandal was top secret, this meant the church had spies but Masaru did not care because it won't easily be discovered and if it does, there is no way to trace it to him, to begin with.

"Thanks for allowing me to intrude in this event" Masaru spoke to Rias with a smile.

Rias only sighed then looked at him, "I will only ask if you can support us if this situation gets out of our hands"

Masaru nodded as he understood what she meant, if things get out of control it could become an international issue between the Devils and the church.

'I want to test the power of a Veteran who survived the old war myself...' Masaru thought but will never share his personal goals with her, "Will do, don't want that Siscon to come crying to me any time soon" Masaru said nonchalantly.

Rias blushed feeling embarrassed about her brother who was indeed a massive Siscon like Serafall.

Masaru and Sakura split up as she went off to find Jeanne to spar with her instead since Masaru was currently heading to the Student Council room for his daily dosage of chess, he felt his head was getting too full of nonsense that does not require his attention so he could use the chess game to relax a bit.

When Masaru entered the room he noticed Saji was currently screaming while reading the complaint reports, "These perverts! They complain about Masaru but the girls complain about them. Bwahahaha, what is up with this situation"

Saji was still getting used to the situation of how Masaru was dealing with the perverts when he noticed Masaru come in he only lightly greeted the Demon King since he did not want to earn his ire and become a woman.

"No need to fear me Saji, I am not a Demon" Masaru spoke while heading over to the table with the chess set already placed waiting for him.

Saji looked at Masaru thinking 'Heh, not a demon... You're a man pride destroyer which is worse than being a demon'.

Masaru took his seat waiting for Sona to arrive, "EH!? Masaru you came to visit today again?" Momo who just entered the student council room was surprised to see Masaru coming quite earlier than the usual time he usually comes.

"Yeah, since Sakura had some fun with our two exorcist friends I thought of coming earlier here to relax" Masaru said as he helped himself to tea as if he was in his own home.

"How was it?" Masaru shook his head at Momo's question.

"They underestimated Sakura because of the Pawn of Rias, so it was not that much entertaining to watch I can only hope that the girl will learn from her mistakes and give Sakura a decent match" Masaru said as if it was nothing.

Momo was surprised that Sakura managed to beat those two girls because the amount of holy power was no joke, "How did she manage to beat them? From the amount of holy power I sensed they are quite dangerous"

Masaru chuckle as he knew Momo still need more experience to gauge the true strength of exorcists, she only felt they were powerful due to the holy aura being a bane for the devils "Sakura answered that question to the girl already, What is the use of strength or power if it can't hit the enemy..."

Momo nodded finding an answer to something that was bothering her as well, 'I can test this idea of improving my abilities!'

"You're earlier than planned" Sona spoke when she entered the office together with Tsubaki, she naturally knew of the duel outside but was not surprised Masaru's peerage was that strong, she naturally experienced some of his training methods herself.

"I'm bored!" Masaru said with a yawn.

Sona adjusted her glasses raising her eyebrow looking at Masaru sternly, "Then go complete those reports and complaints you need to handle as the President of the Disciplinary Committee"

Masaru looked at Sona with a defeated expression, "Will do it later" He waved it off causing Sona to feel exasperated at how nonchalant he was about his responsibilities but then again he was usually sent out of missions so the time he actually was free was too minimal.

She took her seat and the two of them continued their daily game of chess, unfortunately, Masaru won today's match evening ou the scores once more.