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After the initial "flyer duty" for new recruits, Devils would begin their actual work: using magic circles to teleport to the locations of those who summoned them, then forming contracts with these individuals. This was a Devil's daily routine.
Currently, besides Issei, who was about to embark on this task, the stronger members of Rias's peerage—Yuuto and Koneko—were also engaged in similar work. Even Rias and Akeno were handling such contracts.
Therefore, when they heard Mika wouldn't be participating in this task—Yuuto and Koneko were puzzled. Akeno, however—smiled knowingly. She seemed to understand the reason.
Rias didn't offer an explanation—simply stating that Mika had other duties, then turned her attention back to Issei.
"Issei, extend your hand." He obediently complied. Rias drew a magic circle on his palm.
"This Magic circle will allow you to teleport instantly to the—client's location. After you've formed the contract, it will return you here safely."
"I see!" Issei grinned, looking at the magic circle on his palm.
In this world, Devils required magic circles to channel their magic power and interact with the supernatural—Therefore, magic circles were an integral part of their combat abilities.
Yuuto and Koneko, for example, had numerous magic circles inscribed on their bodies, ready to be activated with their magic power. These Magic circles were, in essence, the crystallization of Devil ingenuity.
Hence, Mika was quite interested in them, though Gabriel was even more so. He watched with fascination as Rias drew the circle.
"Now that the Magic circle is prepared, Issei, please stand in its center," Rias instructed as Akeno began chanting, the magic circle on the floor glowing with a blue light.
"Yes—Buchou."
"The one summoning you is one of Koneko's previous clients. She was supposed to handle this contract, but she has two clients requesting her presence simultaneously. That's why—I'm assigning this task to you," Rias explained.
Since Devil summoning rituals were typically conducted at night, it wasn't uncommon for multiple clients to summon the same Devil simultaneously.
Normally, whoever formed the initial contract with a client would handle their subsequent summons. Furthermore, summoning Devils was addictive.
Therefore, such situations occurred frequently.
Whoever was available would handle the contract.
"I see," Issei nodded, understanding now.
"The magic circle has locked onto the client's location. You'll be transported there momentarily. I trust you know how to handle the situation?"
"Of course!" Issei said confidently.
"Excellent. Then be on your way." Rias nodded, and Akeno activated the Teleportation circle.
The light intensified, and Issei's grin widened.
Just as they thought he was about to be transported, the light faded, and Issei remained standing within the circle.
"Huh?" He looked around, confused.
Rias sighed, and the others exchanged uneasy glances.
"Issei, I'm afraid you can't use the Magic circle to reach the client's location."
"Why not?!"
"Activating a Magic circle requires Magic power. While the amount required isn't substantial, any Devil should be able to do it, even a child. It's—basic. The only explanation for your inability to activate it is that your Magic power is—well, less than that of a child."
"What?!" Issei froze, stunned. Unlike in the original timeline, he knew he had absorbed eight Pawn pieces. He was confident in his abilities as a Devil. The news that his Magic power was less than a child's was a devastating blow.
"How is this possible?" he muttered.
Even Rias was at a loss. She had never encountered such a situation before.
"This can only mean your Sacred Gear is—unique," Mika said with a smile.
Everyone turned to look at him.
"Mika—have you discovered something?" Rias asked. She trusted his judgment implicitly.
He nodded. "Issei absorbed eight Pawn Pieces. We all witnessed it—However, his current abilities as a Devil don't reflect that potential—This suggests that his true power lies within his Sacred Gear."
"After all, he only has two potential sources of power: his Devil heritage and his Sacred Gear."
"Could it be—that?" Rias's eyes widened in realization.
Mika had practically spelled it out for her.
"That? What is 'that,' Buchou?" Issei asked anxiously, eager to understand.
Rias's expression turned serious. "Among Sacred Gears, there exist a few incredibly powerful artifacts known as Longinus."
"These Longinus possess the power to slay even Gods and Satans, hence their name." A smile touched her lips.
"If Mika's theory is correct, then your Sacred Gear, Issei, might be an inactive [Longinus—Boosted Gear]."
"A—[Longinus]?!"
A grin spread across Issei's face.
"However," Rias cautioned, "this is just a theory. We'll discuss your Sacred Gear later. For now, your task is to reach your client."
"But how can I go if the magic circle doesn't work?"
"While it's unprecedented, you'll have to travel there—on foot," she replied seriously.
"On foot?"
"Yes. Just like when you were distributing flyers. Use your bicycle, Issei."
...
"What kind of Devil rides a bicycle to form contracts?!" Issei's indignant cries echoed through the clubroom as he left.
"Hahaha!" The others couldn't help but laugh at his predicament.
"Alright, that's enough," Rias said, composing herself. "Everyone, let's get to work."
"Yes, Buchou." Yuuto and Koneko responded and stepped into the magic circle, vanishing as Mika watched.
...
Only Rias, Akeno, and Mika remained.
"Now, it's your turn, Mika."
"Do I have a special assignment, Buchou?" he asked curiously.
"Indeed. But it shouldn't be too difficult for you," she replied with a smile.
"I see. And what would that be?" Although he had a suspicion, he feigned ignorance.
"From now on, I want you to focus all your energy on training."
"Unlike Issei, you already possessed considerable strength before becoming a Devil. You were only limited by your human form. Now that you're a Devil—once you master your new powers, your strength will increase exponentially."
"That is my only request."
"Just as I suspected—" Mika thought. He had noticed Rias's unusual reaction when he described his Sacred Gear.
He knew a bit about her situation, namely, her unwanted engagement. She desperately wanted to break it off, and the only way to do so was through a Rating Game.
Rating Games were a way for Devils to determine their standing within the Underworld. After the war with the Angels and Fallen Angels, many of the 72 Pillars had lost their pure-blooded heirs.
Hence, Ajuka Beelzebub developed the Evil Pieces system to increase the Devil population.
Rating Games were battles between peerages led by High-class or Ultimate-class Devils—serving as a way to evaluate their strength and strategic abilities.
Various rules and restrictions, combined with different terrains, added to the complexity of these games.
A Devil's performance could influence their standing within the Underworld, offering a path to promotion.
Therefore, Rating Games were incredibly popular.
If Rias could challenge and defeat her fiancé, in a Rating Game, she could break off their engagement.
However, she hadn't considered this option before, since Riser was a seasoned Rating Game veteran, while she was still a novice.
Riser was already renowned within the Underworld, while she had never even participated in a Rating Game. After all, only mature Devils could participate.
Furthermore, Rating Games were battles between two peerages, each consisting of a King, a Queen, two Bishops, two Rooks, two Knights, and eight Pawns, for a total of sixteen combatants per side.
Rias hadn't even completed her own peerage yet. She had no confidence in challenging Riser.
But now, with Mika's arrival, a glimmer of hope had emerged. The reason she hadn't considered a Rating Game was not only Riser's experience and complete peerage, but also his inherent abilities.
As a descendant of the Phenex clan, he possesses not only powerful fire abilities but also an incredible regenerative ability, allowing him to recover from almost any injury instantly—except for mental trauma.
To defeat Riser, Rias needed overwhelming power, enough to repeatedly defeat him and break his spirit. She didn't have such power—until now.
Mika's [Sacred Gear, Radiant Spear], has the ability to prevent healing. This intrigued Rias.
Perhaps, with this weapon, she could finally defeat Riser. But a weapon's true power depended on its wielder.
Fortunately, Mika possessed the potential to become incredibly strong.
Her task now was to accelerate his growth.
This was why she had given him a different task from Issei.
"Akeno and I will teach you everything you need to know about the Devil World. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask."
"For now, your only task is to train and become stronger. Understood?"
Akeno, standing behind her, also looked at him expectantly.
"Understood," Mika replied with a nod.
"Could you provide me with information on my future opponent? Knowing their strengths and weaknesses will allow me to prepare accordingly."
Although he knew a bit about Riser Phenex, he needed more detailed information, not just the general knowledge that all members of the Phenex clan possessed fire abilities and regenerative powers.
Riser would be his first true challenge in this world, a boss battle requiring meticulous preparation.
Unlike Issei, who could rely on the power of love to unlock his [Balance Breaker], Mika had to rely on his own skills—Intelligence—and meticulous planning.
Rias, momentarily stunned, smiled. "Very well. I'll provide you with his file."
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