The day of the Rating Game against the Phenex Peerage, 11:20 PM. Issei wore his school uniform and conditioned his mind to enter a full alert in his room when suddenly, he heard a knock on his door.
"Issei-san, may I come in?" Asia's voice came from the other side.
"Yeah, sure."
She opened the door and stepped in, "Kyahh!" Only to slip on a banana peel lying on the floor.
"Whoa!" Issei managed to catch her before she completely fell on the floor, "Phew~."
"Sorry, I was practicing my secret battle techniques." Issei excused himself.
"I understand, but why bananas?" Asia sat up with the help of Issei.
"I don't really know. Ever since I became a Devil, no, more accurately, when I activate my Boosted Gear, I would have strange cravings for banana. I also don't understand why... But never mind that, Asia, those clothes..." Issei tried to explain but chose to change the subject to Asia's current outfit.
She's currently wearing her dark teal nun outfit with light blue accents, but without the white veil over her head with light blue accents, a brown satchel slung on her right hip and brown boots with black straps in an X-shaped pattern.
"I was told to dress as I pleased... After some thought, I decided that this outfit suits me the best..." Asia closed her eyes with a smile on her face and continued speaking, "I may be a Devil now, but I haven't forgotten my faith."
"Yeah, you were wearing the nun outfit when we first met too. Guess it's natural for you." Issei gave her one of his brightest smiles, "It looks really good on you."
Asia felt happy at his compliment and started fidgeting, "Thank you... Uh... Issei-san. May we just sit here for a minute?" She gets close to him and grabbed one of his arms.
"W-what's with you all of a sudden?" Issei is confused at Asia who usually makes cheerful expression and is now wearing a disgruntled face. But after some time, He felt her shaking body... from fear.
"... I can't stop shaking at the very thought of the scary battle that's coming up... But as long as you're around, Issei-san, I know I'll be okay."
"Asia..." Issei patted her head to comfort her.
After some patting, Asia immediately recovered her energy and jumped on Issei, "Eh-heh-heh~. I'm not afraid of anything when you're by my side."
"Whoa!!!" Issei didn't know where to grab her.
A few seconds of snuggling, Asia spoke again, "Can we stay like this until it's time to leave?"
"Sure..."
"Would it be okay to stay with you forever, Issei-san?"
Issei didn't think much and just replied, "Yeah. Together forever."
"... I'm glad."
.
.
.
Approximately 11:40 PM, just 20 minutes before the start of the game.
All of Rias' Peerage assembled in the Occult Research Club room. Yuuto is warming up. He's also wearing his school uniform, but with additional steel arm greeves which can be used to block weak attacks.
Koneko is also wearing her school uniform but without blazer as usual. In addition, she also equipped her paw-printed gloves and is currently meditating.
Akeno served everyone a cup of tea and Rias is finalizing her plans written on the paper.
"Um, Buchou," Issei called out to her.
Rias put down the paper she is reading and faced Issei, "What is it?"
"You have another 'Bishop', don't you, Buchou? Who is that exactly?" Issei curiously asks as he hasn't met the last member of the group.
Rias sighed and answered, "Unfortunately, my other 'Bishop' can't join us now. I'll tell you more some other time.
Just as she finished speaking, a familiar magic crest appeared in the room and brought the maid of Gremory Household with it, "The game will begin in ten minutes. Have you all made the necessary preparations?
"This rating game will be broadcast to all members of both houses. The Devil King Lucifer will also be watching. Take care not to forget this. And as the request of the Sitri Clan, this game will also be broadcasted in the Student Council Room of the Kuoh Academy."
"So Onii-sama is going to see this first hand. And Sona? So that guy must be watching too..." Rias muttered after her words.
Issei heard this and was shocked, "Huh!? Onii-sama!?"
"Buchou's older brother is a Devil King, Lucifer-sama" Yuuto was done warming up and explained to Issei.
"WHAA!? Wait... Lucifer!? I thought Buchou was from the house of Gremory??"
"The previous Devil King perished in the last Great War. However, Devils cannot be without a King... So the title of Devil King was granted to several immensely powerful Devils. Presently, there are four of these mighty Devils. each of whom inherited their names from the Devil Kings-- Lucifer, Beelzebub, Leviathan, and Asmodeus. So Buchou's big brother was chosen as a successor to the Devil King. Sirzechs Lucifer, also known as 'The Crimson Satan' is Buchou's brother and the strongest of the Devil Kings." Akeno explained further.
Grayfia interrupted their conversation, "It is almost time. Everyone, please proceed to the magic circle. In a moment, I will send you to an alternate plane that will serve as your battlefield."
All of them started walking towards the magic circle while Grayfia continues to explain, "Everything in the space is entirely expendable, so fight to your heart's content. Moreover, once you arrive on the site, teleporting out via magic circle will be impossible until the game has ended."
Everyone stepped on the magic circle and Issei commented with a crumpled face, "So there's no coming back until the game's been decided..." All of them disappeared from the room.
When they reappeared, they are still on the same spot which confused Issei, "Huh? The clubroom? We didn't make it?"
Grafia's voice suddenly resounded from the speakers throughout the school which removes Issei's confusion, "Greetings, all. I, Grayfia, servant to House Gremory, will be your referee for this game. In the name of my master, Sirzechs Lucifer, I shall closely observe this fight. For the battlefield, we have prepared a replica of Rias-sama's school -- Kuoh Academy.
"Wow! So this is all fake!? It seems so real, though!" Issei grabbed Asia's stuffed toy Ratchuu-kun which was also replicated.
"Indeed. Look out the window." Rias commented from the side.
Issei and Asia look out of the window and he exclaimed at the sight, "The sky's color is all mixed up! Devil Power sure is something, to be able to create a perfect replica in another dimension!
"In regards to each team's base... the teleportation destination of each team is its base. Rias-sama's base is the Occult Research Club room in the old school building. Riser-sama's base is the student council room in the new school building. Pawns aiming for promotion, please proceed to the perimeter of the enemy base." Grayfia's echoed from the speakers again.
"Please wear this communicator in your ear." Akeno distributed an earpiece for everyone.
"We need these to stay in touch on the battlefield, so don't break it." Rias proceed to walk towards her replicated desk and sat down.
"The game is about to begin. The match ends at daybreak in the human realm. Now then, please begin." Grayfia signaled the start of the game.