Underworld, Satan territory, capital City, Lilith.
Two weeks have passed since Ophis was left in the care of the Alaverus household. In that period of time, Ophis had seemingly enjoyed her time with the family and peerage. Unfortunately, if you are not paying attention to her minute changes in expression, it would be hard to notice. Like Koneko, who seems to be her closest friend, Ophis can almost always be found munching on something. However, unlike Koneko, she likes to eat everything, not just snacks and sweets. One thing of note that has changed since Ophis arrived is that Fenrir stays as close to Scathach as he can whenever Ophis is nearby. It would seem that his instincts were warning him of just how dangerous Ophis could be.
On top of that, James, Rias, and Sona's new home was built after the devils bought the house on the other side of James' original residence. Also, Sona sold her original residence as well. So, as of now, the three peerages, excluding Flora, Issei, Asia, and Genshirou, all live in the same house. Ravel also made the executive decision to move in with them as well.
Now, the large estate has five above ground floors and three floors below ground. The living room, kitchen, Leona's bedroom, and a guest room are located on the ground floor. James, Rias, and Sona's bedrooms as well as James' art studio are located on the second floor. James' peerage bedrooms are on the third floor. Rias' peerage sleeps on the fourth floor. Sona's peerage is located on the fifth floor. On the roof, is a rooftop garden and an outdoor swimming pool. Also, each floor above the ground floor has its own common area and small kitchen while each bedroom has its own bathroom.
The three basement floors are more versatile in their use. The first basement floor has a movie theatre big enough to hold all the residents and a few more. Also, there is a large storage room. The second basement floor contains a large onsen style bath and a heated swimming pool. And the third basement floor is used for training. All the walls, ceiling and floor have been reinforced to a ridiculous degree. Enough that they could withstand an all-out attack from a peak minor god-ranked being.
After getting used to their new living arrangements for two weeks, however, the day of the promotion test finally arrived. Today, Mizore, Cu Chulainn, Moka, Akeno, Koneko, Yuuto, Gasper, Issei, Tsubaki, and Reya would be accompanied by their [Kings] and Scathach to the Underworld to take the test to promote from Low-Class to Middle-Class devils.
As always, they would be staying at the hotel owned by the Gremory House located in the central plaza of Lilith.
"It's been like four years since I last stayed here." James said as he and the others walked through the doors of the Gremory Hotel.
"Yeah, that was a fun trip." Mizore said.
"I know, right?" Moka added. "All the shopping was great."
After hearing the word shopping, all the female members of the group had their eyes light up like flood lights. At the same time, the men in the group shuddered in terror.
"Well, if you decide to go shopping, I hope you have fun." James said with a smile. "I won't be able to accompany you, unfortunately, I have to go see Muramasa about getting some new swords made."
"I would think so." Scathach said. "You have probably outgrown those blades, if I am not mistaken."
"That's exactly it, Master." James said with a sad smile on his face. "I almost destroyed the one I used to do that [Getsuga Tenshou] in the [Rating Game] against that traitor guy... What was his name again?"
"Diodora Astaroth." Rias said while rolling her eyes. "You could at least remember his name."
"Why should I?" James asked with a scoff. "He looked down on me and called me a filthy half-breed every time he spoke to me."
"I agree." Sona said while adjusting her glasses. "He wasn't worthy of anyone remembering his name. He was just a traitor."
As they spoke, the check-in process was made quite simple thanks to the simple facts that Rias was so recognizable in the Underworld and her family owned this hotel. So, after not even a few minutes, James, Rias, Sona, and the others were headed up to their suites. When they arrived on their floor, they split into a total of four groups in four rooms. The first group, James, Scathach, Mizore, and Moka would stay together. Then, Rias, Sona, Akeno, Koneko, and Reya would stay in the second room. The third room would house Yuuto, Gasper, and Issei. While Cu Chulainn and Tsubaki would get a room all to themselves.
"Well, you guys have fun shopping." James said with a smile as they all left their rooms after putting their luggage in their respective rooms. "I'm headed to Muramasa's shop. Lancer, make sure the girls stay safe."
As James spoke to Cu Chulainn, he was clearly wearing an evil grin. A detail that Cu Chulainn did not miss. Unfortunately for him, he would be accompanying Tsubaki on this shopping trip, so there was no way he could refuse. What made it even worse was the fact that almost all the women would be going on this trip, as well. Meanwhile, Yuuto and Gasper would be staying back at the hotel to help Issei review one last time before the written test.
'At least Master won't be coming with us.' Cu Chulainn thought to himself. 'I shudder just thinking about James' description of his date with her.'
With that, the groups separated and did their own things the day before the Middle-Class promotion test. About fifteen minutes later, James and Scathach were standing in front of a simple shop with a sign that read "Muramasa's."
"So, this is where the man who forged your swords resides?" Scathach asked as she scrutinized the simple looking shop.
"Yeah, his obsession with sword smithing is pretty intense." James said as he pushed the door open.
*Ring!* *Ring!*
"Hey, Old Man Muramasa!" James shouted as he entered the shop. "James Alaverus is here to talk about swords."
"Who the hell are you calling old, you brat?" Muramasa shouted from the shop's workshop area. "Just come back here, I don't have the time to come out front."
Shrugging his shoulders, James looked at Scathach with a look that said, "I told you so." Then, both with a smile, Scathach followed James back to Muramasa's workshop. After about a minute, James and Scathach were standing in a swelteringly hot room while Muramasa forged a sword.
"Hey, Muramasa, long time no see." James said with a smile.
"Yeah." Muramasa said while hammering a piece of metal. "It has been almost four and a half years. Are your swords all right?"
"Actually, that's why I'm here." James replied. "I need two new, stronger swords."
"Stronger?" Muramasa replied as he picked up and examined the red-hot piece of metal. "Did you break them or something?"
"Nah, you don't have to worry about that." James replied while waving dismissively. "Other than some usual wear and tear which I've been taking care of with normal maintenance, they're perfectly fine."
"Then why in the hell do you need two new swords if the ones you have are just fine?" Muramasa asked while reheating the piece of metal.
"Because I'm too strong for them." James replied with a shrug. "I can only channel so much of my demonic energy into them before they start to creek uncomfortably."
"So, I guess it's true that you're higher than the ultimate-rank." Muramasa said, setting the piece of hot metal down on his work bench. "I guess it is about time for you to get new swords, then."
"I'm guessing you can help me out with that, right?" James asked with anticipation in his tone.
"I could." Muramasa replied with a nod. "But I don't' have any materials on hand that could withstand anything above ultimate-rank."
"So, I'll have to provide the materials myself, huh?" James replied. "Where am I supposed to get something like that?"
"I believe this should suffice." Scathach said, inserting herself into the conversation.
Then, she tapped the bracelet, that was covered in runes, she was wearing and a piece of the sea creature she used to craft her spears from appeared on the floor of the workshop.
"But master, you already created something for me from this." James said with confusion. "I thought each of your pupils only got one thing made from this."
"That is correct." Scathach replied with a nod. "I made a tekkou for you. But I usually make weapons. And since you use an Eastern weapon, I was unsure if I could create one of high enough quality."
James nodded at Scathach's reason, deciding not to call her out on the original reason she gave. Instead, he looked at Muramasa who was examining the piece of sea beast lying on the floor of his workshop.
"So, what's the verdict, Old Man?" James asked curiously.
"Like I said, who the hell are you calling old man?" Muramasa replied. "But to answer your question, this should be enough to make a very high-quality sword."
"So, I'll need to find the material for a second sword, huh?" James asked.
"If you still want to use two swords, anyway." Muramasa replied.
"How long will it take for you to forge a sword out of this material?" James asked curiouusly.
"I'm not sure." Muramasa replied again. "I have never seen anything like this before. I will have to do some experiments and all that. But I can confidently say that it would take no more than three weeks. Around two if there are no complications."
"Right." James said while stroking his chin in thought. "Well, I guess you should go ahead and get started on that. I'll work with what I have until it's complete. In the meanwhile, I'll stay on the lookout for something I can use for the second sword."
"Alright, since I know you're good for it, I'll charge you the labor costs when you come to pick it up." Muramasa said with a smile as he picked up the sea beast's remains. Then, he turned around and mumbled to himself. "I'm really looking forward to working with a new material."
A few moments later, James and Muramasa had decided on the specifications for James' new blade. Then, James and Scathach decided to start heading back to the hotel. Bidding Muramasa farewell, they left the shop and began to walk.
"He really enjoys the craft of swordsmithing." Scathach said with a smile. "His passion for his craft is awe inspiring."
"I agree." James replied. "It's rare to see anyone put that much time and effort into anything, even the things they like."
"Indeed." Scathach replied. "Much of the afternoon and evening still remain. How do you wish to spend it?"
James was a bit taken aback at the abrupt change of topic. However, he had nothing in particular that he wanted to do.
"I'm not sure." James replied honestly. "Other than getting something to eat at some point, I have nothing in mind."
"Then, would you allow me to help you refine your techniques back in our hotel room?" Scathach said with a seductive smile on her face.
"Why not." James replied with a shrug. However, the lustful glint that appeared after Scathach's suggestion could not be hidden. "I'm always down for improving my techniques."
With that, James and Scathach made their way back to the hotel in a shorter time than it took them to walk from the hotel to the shop. Meanwhile, in one of the women's apparel shops in the Underworld's largest shopping mall, Cu Chulainn was miserable. As one of the few males in this store for women, he felt out of place. On top of that, he has been answering mechanically about how several of the girls look in the outfits they chose for the last fifty minutes, or so. And he knew that this was only the beginning.
'I know this isn't James' fault.' Cu Chulainn thought to himself as he watched Tsubaki disappear back into the changing room. 'But I hate him really bad for some reason right now.'