Last day of the ten-day training that Riser gave the Gremory Peerage. Koneko is standing in front of Kisuke, Yoruichi and the haggard Aika.
Koneko is currently in her nekomata form but with some difference from the usual. Her cat ears and tails have embers of white flames on their tips. Her eyes were surrounded by a blue pigment that looks like a thick eyeliner. And her pupils are shining with golden light and her irises are slit and jet-black in color.
In this form, Koneko has the physical abilities of a Middle to High-Class fully mature Devil. Her defensive level was also boosted to another level that even without her Rook piece, which is honestly just holding her back at this point, Koneko can stand still and let Yuuto Kiba hack at her and she would only get some rashes. She also got access to an ability to generate white flames that directly burns vitality or life force, though she couldn't use it repeatedly. Since this is the result of Senjutsu (Sage Techniques), Kisuke called this form Sage Mode.
Sage Mode is of course not all advantages, in its current stage, there are also some huge drawbacks. First is Koneko has to gather Natural Ki first before she can enter this form and while gathering, she wouldn't have much freedom. If she wanted to gather it faster then she would be to be completely still. Second is she can only gather Natural Ki that is the same amount as her Inner Ki at most or there would be a chance that she would lose control of herself if too much outside influence is gathered that would essentially affect her mind. The third is it gives a big burden on her immature body that she can only use it 10 minutes tops. Any further and she would damage her body.
As such, Koneko's Sage Mode could only be considered as a last resort if she wanted to end the fight quickly or if she wanted to catch her opponent off guard especially if they are not aware of her capabilities.
It's a skill that is not useful in a big battlefield, but in something like Rating Game, where you only have to take the King's head according to the rules, then this will be her sharpest weapon.
"You can rest now, Koneko-chan. The game is scheduled later this evening. Let's eat first before heading to the Academy." Kisuke reminded Koneko. In all truth, Kisuke was surprised at Koneko's progress. She also started to think and innovate on her own slowly modifying the Sage Mode to fit her more. Koneko doesn't take Kisuke's advice for granted anymore and would always test it herself and what she can do to further improve it which delighted both Kisuke and Yoruichi, though they didn't voice it out loud as they want Koneko to think that this is the most natural thing to do and not something worth putting attention to.
Koneko took a deep breath and she returned to her normal nekomata form.
"Can I also watch?" Aika asks. These past 10 days, she trained even harder than Koneko due to Yoruichi's arrangements. Her dormant Reiryoku didn't improve much but her technical skills improved to another level that she can go toe on toe with Yuuto Kiba if they have the same specs. She's even better than him at some skills like detection and movement. What she needs now are some real-life battle experiences that Yoruichi kept giving her.
"Not on the venue. I'll set some viewing platform in the house so that you and Mom can also enjoy the show." Kisuke replied to her.
Koneko bowed in front of them and expressed her gratitude, "Kisuke-senpai, Yoruichi-san. Thank you for everything you've done for me. I'll be sure to return the favor one day."
"Just don't disappoint me. Give that Fried Chicken a good beating." Yoruichi patted her head. Although in her and Kisuke's calculation, she wouldn't be able to defeat Riser even if she uses her Sage Mode... Unless she does something reckless. They won't tell her that though. It'll be up to her whether she'll go for it regardless of the dangers.
Kisuke helped her teleport to the school and she left the secret training ground.
After the last motes of light from the teleportation circle disappeared, Aika voiced out her concern, "Can she really defeat that Fried Chicken guy?"
'As expected, she has some strong intuition regarding these matters.' Kisuke thought before replying, "If she does not do something stupid, she won't win."
"Something stupid? Do you mean overloading her Sage Mode? How is that stupid if that's the only way to win?" Aika faced Kisuke in curiosity.
"Koneko is very careful unlike you. Of course in a normal person's perspective, discarding your sanity just to defeat your opponent is a stupid move. You don't know if you'll only hurt your enemy or you might end up hurting those who are important to you. This will be an important decision for her."
"You're trying to say I don't think like a normal person?" She retorted.
Kisuke didn't respond but for Aika, that's an affirmative.
"Whose fault do think that is?" Aika felt dismayed.
"Your eccentric behavior."
"I don't want to hear that from you!!!"
.
.
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The same day, 11:30 PM. Riser is having a good time with his 'Queen' Yubelluna when his sister Ravel Phenex interrupted their fun, "The game to decide the fate of your engagement is about to begin, and yet... here you are, laid back as always, Onii-sama." She sighed in resignation.
Ravel is a beautiful young girl with dark blue eyes. She has long blonde hair tied into twintails with large, drill-like curls and blue ribbons keeping them in place. The front of her hair has several bangs hanging over her forehead, with a V-shaped fringe hanging over the bridge of her nose.
Her outfit consists of a light purple dress with dark purple accents and a blue bow at the front. At the back, three feather-like extensions mimicking a bird's tail protruding from the dress.
"Tch, it was just getting good." Riser muttered as he faces his sister, "Of course, Ravel. Our victory is assured, after all."
"I've heard that they're not wasting their ten days. They're getting stronger." Ravel continues to remind Riser, "And they have that wild card Sacred Gear on their side. If we get careless, they might just..."
Riser didn't let her continue and said, "There is no 'might'." He gave his sister a glare which sent Ravel a chill, 'I guess I don't have to worry much.' "Haah... Don't turn your anger on me."
"Kuhkuhkuh... No matter. I feel sorry for Rias, but we won't be holding back. This won't be all fun and games." Riser chuckles at his sister's reaction.
Ravel knew that she doesn't have to say more, but just as she turned around to leave the room, she suddenly remembered something, "Oh right... I also investigated that Human who humiliated you."
Riser is about to continue his fun with Yubelluna but Ravel's words caught his attention and soured his mood, "What about him?"
"Nothing much... Which is honestly strange. Up until now, he poses as a normal human and only became close to Sona Sitri and Rias' Rook recently. He's also the childhood and best friend of the Boosted Gear user, which explains his actions last time. It seems that he's helping Rias' Rook these past ten days to train. So she might know how to do that instant acceleration technique that he exhibited that day."
"Hmmph! Still a weakling. No matter how fast she becomes, she won't be able to hurt me or even you."
"In any case, please take note of her once you're in the game." Ravel finally left him alone, 'I can't say to him that this information is giving me some bad feelings...'