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High School DxD Fanfic: Chapter 6 - Baptism by Battle
(POV: Kai)
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The frost slowly melted under the golden morning sun, but the memories of last night's awakening burned brighter than ever inside me.
I sat alone in the middle of the training ground, surrounded by the aftermath — cracked stone, frozen trees, scattered weapons still floating lazily around golden portals shimmering in the air.
My powers had awakened.
The Vault of Babylon...
The Frost King Sacred Gear...
And deep within, the faint ember of Haki pulsed, waiting to be fanned into a roaring flame.
But awakening was one thing.
Mastering them was another.
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"You're awake early," a familiar voice called.
I turned my head slightly, watching Rias approach. She wore a crimson training outfit that matched her long flowing hair, her arms crossed beneath her chest.
"You caused quite the scene last night," she teased, a playful smile tugging at her lips.
"But... you were amazing."
I chuckled lowly, standing up.
The frost mist still clung to my breath.
"I have a long way to go," I said simply.
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A clapping sound echoed from above.
Floating lazily down from a high balcony was none other than Sirzechs Lucifer himself, accompanied by Grayfia and the rest of Rias's peerage — Kiba, Koneko, Akeno, and Gasper nervously hiding behind a pillar.
"You made quite an impression," Sirzechs said, smiling warmly.
"It's only right we see the full extent of your power."
His smile sharpened.
"A sparring session, Kai. You versus Rias's peerage. All of them."
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For a moment, silence fell over the courtyard.
Rias stiffened. "Nii-sama... that's too much—!"
Sirzechs raised a hand calmly.
"He needs to understand the weight of the power he holds. And they need to understand the future king they're following."
I tilted my head slightly, considering.
All of them, huh?
Fine.
I smiled faintly.
"I accept."
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The stage was set.
The peerage lined up in front of me, hesitant but determined.
Kiba drew his sword, a shining light weapon.
Koneko entered a martial stance, her small fists crackling with raw strength.
Akeno floated into the air, magic circles forming around her, crackling with lightning.
Gasper peeked from behind a tree, blood magic swirling in his trembling hands.
Even Rias herself prepared a magic circle, her aura pulsing like a blazing star.
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Sirzechs floated above, raising his hand.
"Begin."
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BOOM!
Without hesitation, the battlefield erupted.
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Kiba was the first to move — a blur of light speeding toward me.
I reached into a golden portal casually.
A sword dropped into my hand — an ancient Roman gladius, its blade humming with magic.
Clang!
I parried Kiba's first strike with ease, the force sending shockwaves through the air.
He leapt back, surprised, but I was already moving.
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Golden portals opened above me like stars.
From them rained a dozen spears, forcing Kiba to retreat in a flash.
Koneko was next — leaping at me with a roar, her fists aiming for my ribs.
She was strong — far stronger than her size suggested.
But strength alone wasn't enough.
I activated my Frost King Sacred Gear.
Mist exploded around me, freezing the ground instantly.
Koneko's foot slipped just slightly — and that was all I needed.
I sidestepped gracefully, tapping her forehead lightly with the hilt of my sword, knocking her off balance.
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Akeno's lightning stormed down next, crackling like a divine wrath.
I raised my free hand — a silver shield fell from a portal into my grasp just in time.
CRACKBOOM!!
The shield absorbed the bolt, frost spreading across its surface.
I smiled.
So this was the strength of a Queen class devil, huh?
Not bad.
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I spread my arms.
More portals opened.
Swords. Spears. Hammers. Staffs. Bows.
A symphony of destruction surrounded me.
I didn't even need to move much — the weapons floated around, blocking and countering automatically.
---
Rias made her move.
A massive crimson orb formed above her head — her signature Power of Destruction.
I could feel the sheer raw energy vibrating in the air.
She launched it at me with a cry.
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I moved.
A golden bow materialized in my hand instantly.
An arrow of pure ice formed from mist.
I fired.
The arrow collided with her orb mid-air —
exploding into a beautiful storm of ice crystals and crimson flames.
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When the smoke cleared, the entire peerage lay scattered across the battlefield, breathing heavily, bruised, but alive.
I stood alone at the center, untouched.
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Sirzechs clapped slowly, floating down.
"Incredible," he said simply.
"Not even veteran peerages could have handled you."
Grayfia bowed slightly.
"A king in the making."
I sheathed the Roman gladius back into the portal, the golden circle closing silently.
I breathed out, mist coiling from my mouth like a dragon's breath.
Still...
I wasn't satisfied.
I had power — yes.
But there was still something incomplete inside me.
The flicker of Haki.
It was time to master it.
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Sirzechs must have seen the look in my eyes, because he chuckled.
"You're not content yet, are you?"
"No," I answered honestly.
He placed a hand on my shoulder.
"Then it's time," he said.
"Time to meet your next teacher."
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He turned, and a magic circle opened in the air.
Through it stepped a man with messy blonde hair, tanned skin, and lazy eyes.
Azazel.
Governor General of the Fallen Angels.
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He grinned lazily, waving.
"So you're the famous prodigy everyone's talking about," Azazel said, sizing me up with a sharp glint in his eyes.
"Not bad. Not bad at all."
He cracked his knuckles.
"Let's see if you can survive a little real training."
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[End of Chapter 6]
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