Those Above & Those Beneath.
A difficult test of will. The only way a Dragon could ever assert those that were worthy of his presence.
Richter stood there, watching the staggering youngsters that resembled a pack of tired hyenas having fled from the scourge of lions all over the underworld. Sairaorg Bael in particular was cheering together with his whole peerage. His and Rias' peers were the only ones to pass the test as a whole.
In the other peerages, there was a mixture of sadness and outrage.
"Rias!" Akeno was holding her king who had directly passed out after having a mountain crush onto her soul in the form of Dragon's will. Nevertheless, she managed to pass the test, the official one and Richter's personal one as well. Everyone in her peerage passed, including the latest inclusion, Hyodo Issei.
Richter was going to say a few words, with this testing finished he'd then pass the mantle to his little Nephilim. However, someone had some words to say; an individual whose presence Richter had been eager to manifest.
[Did you have to be so harsh with the lads, Golden One?]
A green light shone in Hyodo Issei's hand and a rugged voice spoke loudly for everyone to hear.
All the elder devils present recognised it; they knew who this was, but they didn't expect him to speak out loud.
"You finally speak... Red One, I thought my presence had been too much for you to bear" Richter's gaze focused on that green light.
"Y-You know Dgraig?" The boy gulped, turning towards Richter whom he now recognised as a terrific being. The boy didn't have much time to process everything that was happening. One second he died after the school collapsed on him. The next day he was waking up in a mansion, being told that he was reincarnated as a devil. The next second the underworld was attacked and he, together with his companions, had to prepare for war.
Issei was confused... but there was one thing around that motivated him with gusto. Breasts... war? devils? dragons? As long as there were breasts it didn't matter. He also heard the voice of Dgraig -his companion- for the first time not too long ago. The Dragon had been aghast as he contemplated the continuous changes taking place in the supernatural world. If there was any time he regretted having been defeated and transformed into a sacred gear. It was now; with such interesting and thrilling times of war.
The Red Dragon, one of the ones known in history as the 'Heavenly Dragon' focused on the being in front of him that was so strong it was even difficult to comprehend.
He knew the two Dragon Gods; Great Red and Ophis... but compared with them, this was another bigger monster. Even then, he was still a Dragon and one of the strongest in this universe. It wasn't time for the Red Dragon Emperor to bow his head.
[You may be the tallest mountain amidst mountains. But I have never been a small hill, Golden One... as a fellow Dragon you should understand; the name's Y Dgraig Goch. The Red Dragon Emperor of Domination!]
His voice contained immense pride and resolution, no doubt the will of a Dragon and surely the only reason why Hyodo Issei was even able to stand up during this challenge. It wasn't a test of physical strength, but instead, a test of resolution and will... for another dragon it was as easy as breathing.
Richter gave a step forward while smirking, "Quite the lousy name for an imprisoned Dragon... I can tell you're one of those troublemaking youngsters, Dgraig... young hatchlings that love fighting and spreading their seed around the universe".
[Hmm... I don't know about spreading my seed. But I definitely love fighting... a pity, if I had my true body I wouldn't have thought twice with such an invitation].
Richter sighed and placed his eyes on Hyodo Issei, the boy was quite prone to look at people's chests instead of their eyes, 'So, the 'spreading seed' part is not innate to him but to his host..'
"We shall speak later, Dgraig. Now..."
Richter snapped his fingers and a golden aura started to spread around him, clutching onto every single individual in this training ground. Teacher and students alike, however... it didn't hold onto those that didn't pass the test.
Sairaorg Bael and his peerage.
Rias Gremory and her peerage.
Seekvaira Agares on her own.
Sona Sitri together with her Queen Tsubaki Shinra, her pawn Saji Genjirou and her bishop Momo Hanakai.
Zephyrdor Glaysa-Labolas on his own.
Riser Phenex together with his bishop Ravel Phenex, his Queen Yubelluna and his knight, Karlamine.
Those were the ones that passed the test. One of the most incredulous and disappointed was Ajuka who saw how the heir of the Astaroth family wasn't able to pass this test of will. The boy in question seemed to have gone berserk with outrage. The moment the bodies of the students started to levitate, living this land it was as if those that failed were sentenced to forever remain beneath... a level below.
"It can't be! There must have been a mistake! Maou-sama, please!" Diodora Astaroth knew that as an heir there couldn't be anything worse than seeing those he considered as equals, leave him in the dust. They'd come back stronger, yet he'd remain as a mere piece of trash. Unable to pass this test; he didn't even enter the Golden Dragon's eyes.
"Retreat, Diodora… this camp is not for you... I'll speak about this with Lord Astaroth; you're unfit to be the heir" Ajuka knew that Diodora was no less than a shameless nun-craving pervert. But to choose the heir of the Astaroth family was not his decision. As a maou of the Beelzebub Clan, he had to be impartial. Now, thanks to Richter, he had the perfect excuse to take out this trash and place the one that he believed had more right to be the heir and more character: Latia Astaroth.
...
"I'm sorry, Kaichou! We're so sorry to have disappointed you!" A group of girls cried, seeing how their student council president left them behind... they understood they were no longer qualified to stand by her side. Their president was going to fight greater fights and they were not mentally or spiritually prepared for it. This test showcased it.
Sona extended her hands down with shivering eyes, even if they were not qualified, she loved her peerage members deeply... they were her family.
"Don't worry, girls... I'll become stronger for all of you. I won't leave you behind!" Sona uttered with determination, behind her was Saji her newest pawn and her Queen, Tsubaki Shinra.