Exam day.
We gathered at the teleportation magic circle in the Hyoudou family's basement, dressed in Kuoh Academy uniforms—practically the Gremory team's official gear by now, like during Rating Games. My bag held pens, a recommendation letter, and a notebook for last-minute review. The vibe felt like a high school entrance exam.
Heading to the Promotion Exam Center were me, Kiba, Akeno, and our manager, Ravel. Sensei and the others would accompany us to the Underworld but wait at a nearby hotel. Examinees teleport to the venue first, then the rest to the hotel.
"Where's Gasper?" I asked, noticing his absence.
Sensei replied, "He left early for the Underworld—Grigori's Sacred Gear research institute."
"Alone?"
"Yup."
That's rare. Gasper acting solo surprised me.
"Right after the Baal fight, he came to me, begging," Sensei said. "'I want to be strong like my seniors! I want to use my powers for everyone!'"
Gasper said that? He's made up his mind. That shut-in, timid guy made a bold choice. He's facing his Sacred Gear under the researchers' guidance now. He's a man, alright. He'll come back stronger.
"Go get 'em, Gasper! I'll do my best too!" I cheered silently.
"What about them?" I pointed at Ophis, Kuroka, and the others. They're not following us to the exam, right? Ophis seems fixated on observing me.
"No way they're going to the venue. They'll head to the hotel with us," Sensei said.
Fair enough. But is the hotel okay?
"After your exam, I'm taking Ophis to Sirzechs. It's a good chance. She says she'll go if you're there."
Got it. So, after the exam, we head to Sirzechs.
"Understood. Meeting Sirzechs with Ophis is significant, right?"
"Yeah. It's a step toward progress. Talks with her were unthinkable before. Even understanding what she's thinking could avoid conflict. If it goes well, we might fracture the Khaos Brigade, making them easier to take down. Losing Ophis's 'snakes' would weaken them fast. I owe Vali for suggesting this."
Vali, huh? He's the one who pitched bringing Ophis to my house. But why?
"I don't get his motive," I said.
Sensei squinted, muttering, "He might be hiding Ophis... from a threat."
"Threat?"
Hiding her? From who? She's the Khaos Brigade's leader, so every faction's after her, but no one can beat her, so they hesitate. What could threaten Ophis?
["Maybe me. I groped her boobs,"] Ignis chimed in.
You're a threat to all girls, Ignis! Groping the strongest Dragon God!?
["Teehee☆"]
Teehee, my ass! Mood-killer!
Ignis's tone turned serious. ["But seriously, there's a possibility."]
What? A lead?
["Ophis wants to defeat Great Red, right?"]
Yeah, she offered me a deal when we met.
["Remember Kyoto? Cao Cao's experiment?"]
["Dragon Eater..."] Ddraig muttered.
Right, Cao Cao mentioned testing the Dragon Eater's effect on Great Red.
["If something could affect Great Red, couldn't it affect Ophis too?"]
...Cao Cao's targeting Ophis?
["I don't know. It's just a possibility,"] Ignis said.
["Not impossible,"] Ddraig agreed.
Cao Cao making moves again? It's just a theory, but I'd better stay alert.
"Ise-kun, we're heading out. You okay? You look intense," Kiba said.
"I'm fine," I replied, snapping back. Focus on the exam!
We stepped onto the magic circle.
"Good luck, Onii-chan!" Miu called.
"Don't screw up!" Alice added.
"I believe you'll pass, Ise," Rias said.
"Alright, here we go!" I waved as the teleportation light engulfed us.
The light faded, revealing a wide floor with a glowing magic circle beneath us—the Promotion Exam Center.
A sharply dressed staff member greeted us. "Welcome, Rias Gremory's household. We've been informed. Please present your identification."
We showed our Gremory crested seals and recommendation letters.
"Verified. This way, please," the staff said, leading us down a stone corridor. Not lavish, but simple and solemn.
"This is the Promotion Exam Center in Glasya-Labolas territory," Kiba explained.
Glasya-Labolas, huh? I didn't even know the venue—too buried in studying. It's the territory of Falbium, one of the four Demon Kings. Never met him, but I hear he lives by "work is losing."
Why's he a Demon King!?
"Falbium Asmodeus, a tactician, built this center in his image," Akeno said.
A "work is losing" guy as a tactician? Weird.
"I thought the center would be in Astaroth territory, with Ajuka's expertise in magic," I said.
"There's one there too," Kiba replied. "Normally, promotions happen in Astaroth, home to a prestigious devil school. Buchou considered it or a Demon King territory school but chose the latter."
"Why Glasya-Labolas then?"
Kiba lowered his voice. "Diodora's incident disgraced the Astaroth family. They lost their right to produce the next Demon King."
Diodora's mess still haunts them.
At the reception area, examinees chatted with staff. "This counter is for mid-class devil exams, and that one's for high-class," the staff said, pointing to the far end.
Wait, the high-class counter's empty!?
Kiba chuckled at my shock. "Few devils qualify for promotion exams nowadays. For high-class, five or six is a lot."
That's a lot? I'm one of them!?
With no wars, promotions come from big contracts or Rating Game success. We're exceptions.
Still, so few high-class examinees?
"Ise-kun, one thing before the exam," Kiba said, serious.
"What's up?"
"I'm glad I met you."
"Whoa, where's this coming from?"
"I wouldn't be here without you. I wanted to say that."
"You're exaggerating. You'd have gotten strong regardless."
"No, I followed your lead to get this far. I want to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with you."
He's dead serious. Fine, I'll take it.
I exhaled, offering my fist. "Let's pass together."
"Absolutely. You'll be high-class, I'll be mid-class, but I'll catch up," Kiba grinned, bumping fists.
"Such fiery friendship," Akeno teased, placing her hand on our fists. "Let's all pass!"
"Yes!" Kiba and I replied in unison.
"I've got the forms!" Ravel called. "Let's fill them out over there!"
Led by Ravel, we prepared the paperwork.
The exam begins!
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