If they defeated a team with a higher score than their own, they would receive more points. On the other hand, if they were defeated by a team with a lower score than their own, then their score would fall sharply. Matches in this format would last until the end of summer. At the end of this period, the sixteen teams with the highest score would progress into the final tournament. Since there are more than a thousand teams participating, with even Gods also participating, the threshold to progress into the finals is incredibly high. In addition, participation in the qualifying rounds was decided exclusively by each team. If they wanted to fight, and if they wanted to gain points, then they would register with the organisers, and they would then be matched to a team that also wanted to fight. In other words, the management of a team was entirely dependent on the team itself. Tuning the team’s status as well as its command was key. Rias-neesan said
“The adjustment of the entire team is the most critical thing. The key to victory is not about winning, but to avoid engaging in meaningless fights.”
“If you don’t plan out the schedule properly, you’ll only end up suffering.”
Akeno-san added. The most important thing would be the total number of points earned on the final day of the qualifying rounds. Even if there were several losses, as long as the final score was high enough, it would still be enough to pass the qualifiers. This was what Rias-neesan meant in that the key to victory was not winning. However, having more wins may well be a good thing since points could increase with every win. Even if there was a loss, it would not put anyone at a significant disadvantage. Therefore, it was important to adjust the whole team, so that when it came time to earn points, it wasn’t about winning every single match, but to manage the points in the most optimal manner. Speaking of which…Ise-kun is really late. I looked at my watch as I confirmed that. It was already time for the opening ceremony. There had also been a broadcast announcement saying ‘The opening ceremony will begin soon’. Gasper-kun also seemed worried about Ise-kun as he said
“Ise-senpai is somewhat late…. The minimum requirement for the opening ceremony is to have the [King] or [Queen] present…”
Could it be that someone new whom we don’t recognise has come here as his [Queen] on their own while he’s resting…? I don’t think that’s the case. After all, Ise-kun did say to me ‘I’ll definitely attend the opening ceremony!’. Just while we were worried about where Ise-kun was — the venue became even noisier than it already was. “H-Hey! Look at that!”
Despite not knowing who shouted that out, we all looked up at the sky. As soon as we looked up — we noticed that there was an enormous object flying towards the venue! It was a flying boat with a hull that was reminiscent of a dragon! Every one of the media’s cameras turned to capture that scene, and the host of the venue also exclaimed loudly. [Wow! A flying boat has appeared in the sky above the stadium! What’s more, it’s a flying ship adorned with the design of a dragon, and it has just appeared directly over the stadium! Ah! If we take a look at the footage from the helicopters, it appears as though there are people on board that airship!] The large screens within the stadium displayed a live stream. Upon seeing the figure of the person who was on the screen, we couldn’t help but feel amazed. The people who appeared there were Ise-kun and the others wearing a crimson uniform! Rias-neesan exclaimed in surprise
“Ise!? T-Then, that flying ship is Ise’s familiar?”
I see! There was a high chance that that flying boat was Ise-kun’s familiar! The magic boat that Sirzechs-sama’s [Rook] Surtr Second-sama had given to Ise-kun. It was originally so small that it looked like a model ship…but after a while of not having seen it, it had actually become such an enormous airship! Perhaps because of Ise-kun’s growth, it had also grown large in proportion. After growing to such an extent, it had naturally become a flying fortress. Ise-kun’s Dragon Deification may have also influenced its exterior dragon-like appearance. Ise-kun clicked his fingers, and the flying boat became enveloped in a dense smoke — and then became small. Ise-kun and the others then jumped directly down into the stadium, followed by a splendid landing. Ise-kun held Asia-san with a princess carry before letting her down, and moved towards us as soon as he caught sight of us. Ise-kun, Asia-san, Xenovia, Irina-san, Ravel-san, and Rossweisse-san weren’t wearing Kuoh Academy’s uniform, but a similarly styled red uniform; this was probably their team uniform. Following behind Ise-kun was a dragon who was more than ten metres long and with an appearance that was quite similar to the Devil Dragon Tannin-sama. He was Tannin-sama’s son who had wanted to assist Ise-kun. So he also became a member of his team. With the body of an enormous dragon behind him, Ise-kun was really becoming more and more ‘king-like’. However, there was also another member that we didn’t know. It was a masked person who wore a red cloak. Their mask was also red, and one couldn’t help but think of a dragon upon seeing it. They had a slender body, so it was probably a woman…. Ise-kun smiled wryly as he said
“Ah, sorry to make you all wait. We finally finished our uniforms, but only at the last minute.”
I see, so they were late because they were preparing their clothing. Rias-neesan asked Ise-kun
“Then that flying ship — is Ryuuteimaru?”
Asia-san nodded. “Yes, in fact…its recent growth is what caught Ise-san’s attention…”
…So he only noticed it by coincidence? Well, after all, since he wasn’t always looking at it, perhaps even Ise-kun, as its master had almost forgotten about it. Unusual things always seem to happen at the beginning and end of the year. “You finally came, Hyoudou Issei.”
—At that time, upon seeing Ise-kun’s flashy entrance, familiar faces began to come over one by one. The first one was Sairaorg Bael-san. Ise-kun also looked pleased to see Sairaorg Bael-san. “Sairaorg-san! Yes, I’ve come. —Along with my team.”
The next person was — Cao Cao. “Hehe, it looks like I’ll have an opportunity for revenge.”
“Cao Cao! Yeah, I’ll defeat you head-on this time!”
Ise-kun courageously responded to Cao Cao’s challenge. Then, a special man stood before him. —Vali Lucifer. “Hyoudou Issei, so you’ve come. Excellent.”
Vali extended his fist out, to which Ise-kun also extended his. Their two fists bumped with each other. “Yeah, Vali. Let’s have a good battle as the Heavenly Dragons.”
Afterwards, Rias-neesan majestically declared to Ise-kun as his master, lover, and opponent
“Ise, since you’re participating, we’ll be opponents. —I won’t lose to you.”
Ise-kun held Rias-neesan’s hand. “Me too. Rias, I will defeat you!”
Beside her, Koneko-chan also said to Ise-kun
“Even if it’s Ise-senpai, I won’t let you defeat Rias-neesama. Right, Gya-kun?”
“Of course!