Knight
Ayame took a deep breath and took her own stance with a serious look on her face. It's honestly amazing how quickly she could change from cheerful and upbeat to serious.
They circled each other for a second before Ayame went for the attack as she use her speed to near instantly appear in front of Arthur to deliver a downward slash, Arthur was immediately able to block the attack but his eyes widen in shock, he wasn't expecting someone the size of Ayame to have such a strength as the ground behind him crack under the weight of the attack.
With two hands on the handle, he delivered a swing of his own making Ayame jumped back, taking the opportunity he immediately rush forward and deliver a slash of his own aiming straight for her head but Ayame was just quick enough to dodge as Arthur's blade misses by a mere inches.
She was immediately able to side step and deliver a spinning cut, sending Arthur who was still mid air flying.
She was immediately going for another attack when she felt something wrong, she immediately turned her head to the side only to see a tear in the space beside her, her eyes suddenly widen when a sword sudden emerge from the tear, with instinct and reflex she was able to block the attack.
"What a dangerous ability you have" she commented.
"Caliburn has the ability to rip space itself so I'd be careful if I were you" he said but it just made Ayame grin.
She immediately went for the attack again, her sword starting to glow. She delivered a upward slash which Arthur was able to block, what he didn't expect was for fire to suddenly burst from the point of impact.
Arthur was able to duck down and was quick enough to hop away but he wasn't giving her even a second to counter attack as his sword also glowing, and with a simple sideways slash, a huge wave of holy energy surge forward.
Ayame answered back with authority, as a huge amount of flames suddenly erupted, blocking Arthur's attack causing an explosion on impact.
...
"Are you not using your other weapon?" Arthur asked.
"I'm sorry but you haven't pushed me enough to make me use it"
Arthur, a bit insulted by her reply suddenly disappeared from his spot, only to appear right infront of Ayame, sword glowing with holy energy but his attack was thwarted by Ayame's who delivered a slash of her own creating huge a shockwave.
At this point they were no longer holding back their attacks as everytime their swords collided huge shockwaves would rock the surroundings. They were moving at speeds that no ordinary being would be able to see, sparks were flying everytime their swords touch, holy energy and red flames would collide from time to time.
Arthur, even using all with the ability to send attacks from afar at random places wasn't able to get a decent hit in due to Ayame's superior reflexes and strength.
After another hour it was clear who was losing. Even though Ayame looks rough and riddled with cut wounds, she still hasn't wielded her second sword, and was still able to deal powerful attacks.
While Arthur was clearly tiring out. It's clear that he's strong and skilled, there was no denying it, but it was also clear he was nowhere near his canon self in terms of strength and technique. This was proof that his time in the Khaos Brigade, and bring the sparring partner to Siegfried helped him grow immensely.
...
Meanwhile while the two were having their fight, Savion was watching them from above with an almost euphoric smile on his face. He could see just how much Ayame has gotten stronger, he especially loved her new technique of fire bursting towards Arthur everytime their swords clashed.
He was also very impressed with Arthur, he knew there was no way he was going to win against Ayame, not with his current strength especially after she reincarnated but that's what impressed him the most, if it was before she got the strength and defense boost from the rook piece, he knew the black sword would already be out and this would be a bit more of an even fight. Just imagining Arthur with the boost in agility and speed was making him giddy, as he continues to watch the two laying waste to one another. He could already see this two become rivals and sparring partners.
...
"It appears I still have a lot to learn" Arthur said a bit dejectedly as Savion started healing his wounds with using senjutsu.
"Don't be too hard on yourself, you have lots of potential, it's actually scary" Ayame commented, most of her wounds already being healed. "Without the power boost I got when I reincarnated, I might have actually needed to use 'Sekai no omomi'" she said holding her black sword. She was honestly very impressed with Arthur, she knew one day he's going to surpass her, there was absolutely no doubt about that, that's how much potential she saw in him.
She wasn't jealous or scared, she was happy, happy that such a human with this much potential for growth is going to join her favorite devil. The fact that she's finally getting a sparring partner is a good added bonus.
"Was he able to make you use two swords?" Arthur suddenly asked her, "Yes" she nodded her head. "I see, I will join you" he said turning to look at Savion. "That's it? no speech, no demands?" Savion asked, surprised by Arthur's lack of demands. "As a wielder of the strongest holy sword I have a goal to become the strongest swordsman, so as long as you don't restrict me and provide me with all the basic necessities like shelter and food along with strong foes to fight I will serve you." he answered plainly.
'Ah...a blonde Zoro' Savion thought in amusement. "Restrict you? Haha...no I'm not going to restrict you, I'm doing the opposite, I want you be to strong." Savion told him "I myself have the goal to one day become the strongest devil." he told him. Arthur seems surprised by the statement before a smirk made its way to his face"It seems I have join up with an ambitious young devil"
Savion smiled and took out one of his evil piece."This is a knight piece, quite fitting for someone like you, if I say so myself. It will give you a boost in speed and agility, you ready?" he asked, Arthur nodded and took a knee in front of him like a knight in front of his king, signifying his loyalty, much to Savion and Ayame's appreciation and without wasting more time, Savion started the reincarnation process.
...
"I feel lighter" Arthur commented mostly to himself as he stood up.
"We've practically done what we set out to do on the very first day, so what now?" Ayame asked.
"That is a very good question, let's return to the underworld first, introduce you two to my parents and get you two use to the underworld" Savion answered. Ayame looked very excited while Arthur looked curious and intrigued.
He removed the barrier and they soon teleported back to the underworld.
...
"Intresting" Arthur muttered as he took in his first sight of the underworld's purple sky. "WOW...it's huge!" Ayame exclaimed as they made their way inside the Beelzebub resident.
"It seems dad's still in the workshop" Savion muttered to himself.
"Oh, I didn't know you would be back so soon Savi, and I see you've brought guests. I'm Veronica Astaroth, Savion's mother, please to meet you two"
"Greetings, I'm Ayame Nakiri, Savion's Rook"
"Pease to meet you as well ma'am I'm Arthur Pendragon, Savion's Knight"
"Oho...you don't have to be so polite and formal, especially since you two are practically family now"
"Mom's right, as a member of my peerage you two are considered a part of a family and this place will essentially become your new home, you don't have to be so stiff" Savion chimed in. Ayame visibly relaxed while Arthur looked at me with appreciation and what I consider a bit more respect.
"Also, you planning to go somewhere mom?"
"Yes, I'm on my way to the meet Grayfia, she's getting a bit restless now that she unable to do her usual maid work."
"Ahh...I see say hi for me will you"
"Sure" she then turned to the Arthur and Ayame "I hope you two make yourself at home and I hope we can get to know each other better later" she said before she teleport out.
After mom left, I told the maids to prepare the guest rooms while we wait.
"Can't believe I'll be living here from now on" Ayame muttered. "Believe it" Savion said smiling.
...
'It seem the maids are done, you two should to go rest up, follow them and they'll take you to your room. I'll see you two tomorrow" Savion instructed them.
They both nodded and did as told.
.
.
.
_______________
AN: Okay, some of y'all may think that Arthur was nerfed and lost too easily, but like I've explained in the chapter itself, he just left the Pendragon house, and since he hasn't joined the Khaos Brigade he doesn't have a sparring partner like Siegfried to help him hone his skills.
So right now he's still just a diamond in the rough that needs proper polishing.
_________