Chapter 51

After their rather intense greetings the day passed by smoothly. Nothing truly out of the ordinary occurred beyond the occasional perverted laugh from a boy in the class or two. Oftentimes times they were directed at Rias or any of his other comrades hit a quick glance removed that issue.

However, things truly began when the school day came to a close. Standing at a large open area with a tri colored barrier around them stood two peerages alongside Damian and his Knight.

"So this is the Emperor of Roses? It's a pleasure to meet you." Sona introduced herself politely to the short and youthful appearing woman in front of her. Nero Claudius was her name and her tale was long since spread through all corners of the earth.

"Umu!" The reincarnated Emperor shouted with a nod of her head before turning her head toward Damian quizzically. Their eyes seemed to converse for a moment before the emperor turned toward Vincent and let out another Umu.

"Is this a test?" Vincent asked Damian calmly. To Damian, the strongest of the Devil youth, his request was not something he needed to accept. The only reason he had was because he obliged him, so Damian forcing Vincent to prove his worth was far from unacceptable.

"Yes. Show a sufficient level of strength and I'll fight you." Damian declared calmly. There were various reasons for his choice ranging from him not wanting to all the way to looking for Vincent's best interests but they did not matter. Not now.

"So you are the one who challenged my only equal! How impressive! You would have been a wonderful member of my empire!" Nero declared as an odd sword appeared in her hand. It was just as large as she was. 

Its shape was extremely odd with jagged bumps and ridges. It was made of a deeply crimson material similar to blood. Just by standing near it the two peerages couldn't help but shiver despite their strength. 

"Thank you for the praise." Vincent spoke respectfully as a silverish white long sword appeared in his hands. The sword flickered like white flames yet solidly retained its shape. The sword itself was made perfectly for him as the manifestation of his soul.

Tensions rose as Kiba looked at the battle with desire in his eyes before ultimately the two groups and Damian were relocated outside of the impromptu battlefield. Taking it as a symbol the two swordsmen instantly appeared in front of each other with their swords clashed.

Sparks flew through the air as the earth shuttered and the wind was cut from the force of their clash. For a moment they were equal, for a moment it seemed as though time had frozen. For but a moment, everything was still.

Smirking proudly Nero signified the end of that peace, her sword pushing forward and sending Vincent skidding back a few meters. Raising his sword he blocked the crimson blade mere inches away from cutting him down.

Angling his blade his opponent's sword skidded past him as his sword approached her neck with haste. Blood spilled as the first wound of many was made. Unfortunately, he did not have that honor as blood leaked from his hip.

Ignoring his wound he continued his strike however his momentary pause had resulted in his opponent dodging with ease. Separating for a moment they looked at each other silently before their figures blurred.

Crimson and white blurs danced around the entire arena, cracks and crevices appearing in the earth wherever they walked. Not only that, blood was spilled as well. Pieces of dirtied white cloth dotted the ground and blood soaked the earth.

The two clashed dozens of times each second and with each confrontation blood was spilled and wounds were made. After half a minute where over a hundred clashes had occurred, the battle lulled for a moment.

Breathing heavily a badly wounded Vincent's eyes were entirely focused on his opponent, a famed emperor whose skill with the blade was unrivaled. Compared to his torn and tattered figure she was untouched by his blade and dust alike. She was pristine.

"Umu! You truly were born in the right generation!" Nero abruptly shouted, pride and acceptance in her expression but there was no trace of the same look of adoration she held for Damian in her eyes. Vincent was strong and talented but he was far from her equal as Damian was.

"I'm going to cut you." Vincent vowed, completely ignoring her words. His mind was in an odd state at the moment. He felt like he couldn't think, as though everything was floating, but at the same time, he never felt more focused in his life.

"Try your best young legionary." Nero declared haughtily, her sword raised as she prepared herself for his blow. Once more time slowed as the air filled with tension and their eyes met for a fleeting instant.

Dashing forward sound shattered around them as their swords rapidly approached each other, space-time itself bending around the 'weight' of their weapons. Space warped and time slowed down to the point of absolute stillness.

Yet their blades still moved, cutting through the stilled time. After what felt like an eternity yet lasted only a moment in reality their blades clashed, steel and soul meeting in one climatic showing of prowess.

Their eyes locked on each other the two swordsmen of the highest caliber's blades clashed endlessly yet did not move an inch. Sparks flew from the air as their souls battled, their desires clashed, and their bodies demanded victory.

The invisible aura that pressed down on reality itself battled for supremacy, each vying for domination in the clash. Ultimately, their fight lasted barely a minute yet in that minute a battle one present would forget occurred.

Time returned to normal slowly as the two stood motionless before each other. Belatedly, reality realized that a sword had been cut and two sword slices cut through space from the pet, two wounds appearing simultaneously.

"You were a skilled opponent, young wraith." Nero Claudius, the victor spoke confidently as she trailed a finger over her slightly torn dress as her opponent fell forward, a large gash spanning his chest gushing blood onto the floor.

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