The Blade of the Phoenix: Infernal Ignition

Arc 1: Ch9: Training Arc and Marriage??!!

Hey there Guys!!

I had given up on writing, feeling drained and blocked. But seeing so many people still reading my story reignited a sense of duty. The anxiety of unshared stories weighed heavily on me, and I realized it was my responsibility to continue, for them and for the stories left untold.

Anyways, let's dive into the chapter!!

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Today, I had to leave with the ORC for the training camp for the Rating Games. However, before I could do that, I had an unexpected visitor in the form of Sona and a little girl! I invited them in and took them to my room. My parents were still asleep, and I reminded Sona that they knew nothing about me being a devil or anything of the supernatural. I also asked them not to talk loudly as everyone was sleeping. As we entered my room, I gestured for them to sit on the bed. I then politely asked, "Tea or coffee?" Sona asked for a cup of coffee, but her escort was too busy staring at my face. 'Where have I seen you before?' I thought. Still pondering the question, I brewed a fresh batch of coffee. I obviously knew why Sona was here, but I still decided to keep all this a secret until one particular day. Going through all the people I had met during my trip to the underworld, I still had no clue. I asked the same question to Albion in hopes of getting an answer, but I only got the reply, "You should remember important people, Partner," ending with a sigh. It was as if Albion was disappointed with me. Pondering his statement, it clicked, 'Serafall Leviathan.' I quickly finished making the coffee and gave it to Sona with some sweets and snacks. I then sat down on the couch opposite Sona and Serafall.

"You wanted to talk, Sona?!"I started, sounding oblivious.

"Well, yes, Issei," Sona began. "When I was younger, my parents sought suitors for me, none of whom I wished to marry. I declared that I would only marry someone who proved to be more intelligent than me. This seemed an insurmountable condition at the time. When they asked how one might demonstrate this superior intelligence, I stated that it would be through a game of chess. Thus, I proclaimed that whoever could defeat me in a game of chess would win my hand in marriage. Do you understand?"

"So, what's the problem?" I stated, playing along my oblivious act.

"So, you are to marry my sister, Blue Swordsman," Serafall interjected on Sona's behalf.

"I am sorry, but I believe you have mistaken me for someone else. I am Issei Hyoudou, a knight serving Rias Gremory. I am no Blue Swordsman, but mere–" I began, trying to maintain my disguise before the game. However, before I could complete my sentence, Serafall attacked. Her blow was powerful enough to decapitate me if I were merely a knight. Yet, my senses went into overdrive, and my reflexes activated. I held her knee in place and gripped her hand with just enough force to cause a fracture. I then positioned my knee on her back and lifted her arm, ready to dislocate her shoulder.

As soon as I realized what I had done, I smiled, removed my knee from her back, and released her hand, which now bore red imprints of my grip. "You are as skilled as I remember, Sera-chan," I stated.

"And you have only grown stronger since the last time we met. Now, Blue Swordsman, would you still like to deny that you are the renowned Blue Swordsman?" she retorted. I had no choice but to admit to her accusation. I glanced at Sona, who looked at me with her mouth agape.

"Who are you, Issei Hyoudou? How did you subdue my sister so easily? How do you both know each other?" Sona demanded.

I looked at Serafall and then began, "Let me reintroduce myself, Sona Sitri. I am Issei Hyoudou: The Blue Swordsman, The Prodigious Swordsman, and the Divine Dividing holder. I am a dragon-devil hybrid, 40% Dragonic-Devil and 60% pure Devil."