The blue screen materialized, its glow invisible to Asia but catching Raynare's sharp gaze. Gamer's Mind clamped down on my reaction, the soul-erasure restriction a silent guillotine. I couldn't reveal the system's mechanics, but the girls knew my "hunches" were more than intuition.
System Gift: Perk Acquisition
New Perk: Points Transfer
Description: User may transfer stat points from Strength, Endurance, Agility, Intelligence, Luck, or unallocated points to any non-player entity to boost their stats permanently. Transferred points are irretrievable. No limit on transfer amount, but user's stats cannot drop below 1.
Warning: Strategic allocation is critical. Loss of points may impact user's combat efficacy. Use with caution.
System Calibration: Level Cap Removal
Rationale: User's progression has surpassed conventional leveling constraints. Levels no longer define your power ceiling; stat allocation and perks now dictate growth. All future EXP contributes to unallocated stat points (10 per equivalent "level" milestone).
The screen faded, leaving a rush in its wake. Points Transfer? A game-changer. My 100 unallocated points (from the Harem's Ascendance quest) and current stats—150 across Strength, Endurance, Agility, Intelligence, Luck—gave me a pool to amplify allies. The level cap removal was wilder; I was no longer bound by numerical tiers, my power defined by raw stats and perks. Ddraig rumbled approvingly: "You're a dragon, not a number, partner. Give those devils a boost and burn that phoenix down."
But the transfers demanded sacrifice. Rias's team needed a stat spike to match Riser's 135 and his peerage's 126. Giving up 20 from each stat (100 total) plus 80 unallocated points (20 per ally, split as 4 per stat) would drop me significantly but elevate them to parity—or beyond. Raynare, Kalawarner, and Mittelt were already at 145; they'd be my trump card, but their fallen angel nature had to stay secret from Riser's side. Only Rias's peerage could know.
I excused myself to my room, the girls exchanging glances—Raynare's knowing, Kalawarner's curious, Mittelt's playful, Asia's innocent concern. "Just need to prep for training," I said, Gamer's Mind keeping my voice steady. Alone, I used Observe to baseline my allies, ensuring my plan aligned. First, the fallen trio:
Name: Raynare
Level: 45
HP: 14,500/14,500 (145 Strength + 145 Endurance × 50)
MP: 7,250/7,250 (145 Intelligence × 50)
Strength: 145
Endurance: 145
Agility: 145
Intelligence: 145
Luck: 145
Thoughts About You: "Issei's planning something big again. His power's a magnet—I'd follow him to hell and back. We're unstoppable."
Relationship: Lover - Eternal Flame (99/100, locked until marriage rite)
Name: Kalawarner
Level: 45
HP: 14,500/14,500
MP: 7,250/7,250
Strength: 145
Endurance: 145
Agility: 145
Intelligence: 145
Luck: 145
Thoughts About You: "He's got that look—world-changing plans. I'll crush anything for him, my anchor."
Relationship: Lover - Eternal Flame (99/100)
Name: Mittelt
Level: 45
HP: 14,500/14,500
MP: 7,250/7,250
Strength: 145
Endurance: 145
Agility: 145
Intelligence: 145
Luck: 145
Thoughts About You: "Issei's cooking up something fun! I'm ready—his spark lights my world."
Relationship: Lover - Eternal Flame (99/100)
Their stats were godlike, their loyalty unshakable. The Empty Dungeon had honed them into a trinity of destruction, their light-based abilities tailored to counter Phenex flames. No transfers needed—they were ready.
Next, Rias and her peerage, including Gasper, who'd been sidelined until now. I'd visit the ORC later to confirm in person, but Observe worked remotely, pulling data from my last encounter:
Name: Rias Gremory
Level: 45
HP: 9,500/9,500 (95 Strength + 95 Endurance × 50)
MP: 4,750/4,750 (95 Intelligence × 50)
Strength: 95
Endurance: 95
Agility: 95
Intelligence: 95
Luck: 95
Thoughts About You: "Issei's leadership transformed us. His power… it's more than draconic. If we win, I owe him everything."
Relationship: Ally (60/100)
Name: Akeno Himejima
Level: 45
HP: 9,500/9,500
MP: 4,750/4,750
Strength: 95
Endurance: 95
Agility: 95
Intelligence: 95
Luck: 95
Thoughts About You: "Ara, Issei-kun's intensity is… delicious. He's pushing us to heights I didn't dream of."
Relationship: Ally (35/100)
Name: Yuuto Kiba
Level: 45
HP: 9,500/9,500
MP: 4,750/4,750
Strength: 95
Endurance: 95
Agility: 95
Intelligence: 95
Luck: 95
Thoughts About You: "His strategies rival mine. A true ally—maybe more than I expected."
Relationship: Ally (25/100)
Name: Koneko Toujou
Level: 45
HP: 9,500/9,500
MP: 4,750/4,750
Strength: 95
Endurance: 95
Agility: 95
Intelligence: 95
Luck: 95
Thoughts About You: "Pervert's strong. Useful. Maybe… not so bad."
Relationship: Ally (25/100)
Name: Gasper Vladi
Level: 15
HP: 3,000/3,000 (30 Strength + 30 Endurance × 50)
MP: 2,000/2,000 (40 Intelligence × 50)
Strength: 30
Endurance: 30
Agility: 35
Intelligence: 40
Luck: 20
Thoughts About You: "Issei-senpai's scary strong! But kind… I wish I could help more, but my Sacred Gear's too wild."
Relationship: Acquaintance (10/100)
Gasper's stats were pitiful, his Forbidden Balor View a ticking bomb—time-stop potential but uncontrollable at Level 15. Rias's team was strong but outclassed by Riser's 135 and his peerage's 126. Transferring points was the only way to close the gap.
As I strategized, another chime erupted, the system's screen blazing with a new quest:
New Quest: Taming Time
Objective: Train Gasper Vladi to Level 35, enabling full control of his Sacred Gear: Forbidden Balor View. Utilize any means necessary (training grounds, combat simulations, stat transfers).
Rewards:
Gasper Vladi gains full control of Forbidden Balor View (time-stop precision, no collateral harm).
Gasper Vladi becomes your Best Friend (80/100 relationship score).
Failure Penalty: Gasper's Sacred Gear destabilizes, -30 to user's Intelligence, -20 to Gasper's relationship score.
Time Limit: Before Rating Game (7 days remaining).
Accept? [Y/N]
I selected Y, the pieces aligning. Gasper's training would be a side mission, woven into the final preparations. His time-stop could be a game-changer against Riser, but Level 35 was a steep climb. Points Transfer would help, but Rias's core team needed priority to match Phenex's raw power.
School was a haze—classes droned, Matsuda and Motohama's banter a faint buzz. Rias caught me at lunch, her crimson hair catching the light. Observe confirmed her stats, her thoughts steady: "Issei's our anchor. I trust him—more than I should". Aspark of something deeper.
At the ORC, the team assembled, Gasper's box trembling in the corner. I pitched my plan, framing Points Transfer as a "draconic ritual" tied to Boosted Gear. "I can share my power," I said, crimson gauntlet glowing for effect. "Permanent boost, but it costs me. You'll match Riser's strength—maybe surpass it."
Rias's eyes widened. "You'd weaken yourself for us?"
"It's what allies do," I replied, Gamer's Mind masking the math. Akeno smirked ("Ara, so selfless~"), Kiba nodded respectfully, Koneko grunted approval, Gasper squeaked, "T-Thank you, senpai!"
I activated Points Transfer, the system guiding my intent. For Rias: 20 from each of my stats (Strength, Endurance, Agility, Intelligence, Luck) and 20 unallocated points (4 per stat). Total given: 120. Her stats surged: 95 + 24 = 119 each, HP to 11,900, MP 5,950. For Akeno, Kiba, Koneko: same deal—20 from each stat, 20 unallocated (4 per stat). Their stats hit 119, HP/MP matching Rias. My stats dropped: 150 - 20 × 4 = 70 each (Strength, Endurance, Agility, Intelligence, Luck), HP to 7,000, MP 3,500, with 20 unallocated points left.
I felt the loss—a dulling of my edge, Agility less fluid, Intelligence slower. But Gamer's Body and Mind held firm, and my perks—Sirzechs-level Power of Destruction, Boosted Gear, Twilight Healing—remained lethal. The team glowed, power radiating. Rias tested a destruction blast, vaporizing a training dummy with precision. Akeno's lightning crackled wider, Kiba's swords blurred faster, Koneko's punch shattered a wall. Gasper clapped from his box, awed.
"Train now," I said. "Gasper, you're next."
We moved to a local forest—my "artifact" excuse replaced with "isolated training ground." Gasper emerged, pale and trembling, his Forbidden Balor View flickering in his eyes. I used Observe again:
Name: Gasper Vladi
Level: 15
HP: 3,000/3,000
MP: 2,000/2,000
Strength: 30
Endurance: 30
Agility: 35
Intelligence: 40
Luck: 20
Thoughts About You: "Issei-senpai's giving so much… I want to be strong for him!"
Relationship: Acquaintance (15/100)
I transferred 20 unallocated points (4 per stat), pushing him to Strength 34, Endurance 34, Agility 39, Intelligence 44, Luck 24. HP 3,400, MP 2,200. My unallocated points hit zero.
Gasper gasped, steadier. Training began: I summoned holographic foes (Levels 15-20), coaching him to focus his time-stop. His eyes glowed, freezing dummies erratically—trees cracked, ground warped.
Rias's team joined, their 119 stats dominating, guiding Gasper's aim. By day's end, he hit Level 20, stats +10 (+2 × 5 levels), reaching 44 Strength, 44 Endurance, 49 Agility, 54 Intelligence, 34 Luck. HP 4,400, MP 2,700. His control improved—time-stops narrower, less chaos.
Days blurred—forest drills, ORC spars, my fallen trio scouting Riser's movements (disguised as humans). Gasper climbed: Level 25, stats +20 total (54 Strength, 54 Endurance, etc.); Level 30, +30; Level 35 by day six. Stats hit 64 Strength, 64 Endurance, 69 Agility, 74 Intelligence, 44 Luck. HP 6,400, MP 3,700.
Forbidden Balor View stabilized—targeted freezes, no collateral. His score soared to 80/100—Best Friend.
Quest Complete: Taming Time
Rewards:
Gasper Vladi controls Forbidden Balor View (precision time-stop).
Gasper Vladi: Best Friend (80/100).
The night before the Rating Game, I gathered Rias's team in the ORC. I used Observe on Riser and his peerage, remotely scanning via system intel:
Name: Riser Phenex (Burger Chicken)
Level: 45
HP: 13,500/13,500
MP: 6,750/6,750
Strength: 135
Endurance: 135
Agility: 135
Intelligence: 135
Luck: 135
Thoughts About You: "That human's a pest. Rias thinks he'll save her? I'll burn him to cinders."
Relationship: Enemy (0/100)
Name: Ravel Phenex (Representative Peerage Member)
Level: 42
HP: 12,600/12,600
MP: 6,300/6,300
Strength: 126
Endurance: 126
Agility: 126
Intelligence: 126
Luck: 126
Thoughts About You: "Issei Hyoudou? Brother's obsessed with crushing him. He's… intriguing, though."
Relationship: Neutral (5/100)
Note: All 15 peerage members mirror Ravel's stats, varying only in abilities (knights: speed-focused, bishops: magic-heavy, rooks: tanky).
Rias's team matched or neared Riser's stats—119 vs. 135 for him, 119 vs. 126 for his peerage. My fallen trio at 145 tipped the scales, but their secret had to hold. I briefed everyone: "Raynare, Kalawarner, Mittelt join as allies—human mercenaries, not fallen angels. No one outside this room knows their true nature. Understood?"
Rias nodded. "Agreed. Their power's a game-changer, but secrecy's key." Akeno, Kiba, Koneko & Gasper's echoed agreement, Gasper's time-stop ready as a trump.
My stats were reduced—70 across, HP 7,000, MP 3,500—but Boosted Gear doubled to 140, Sirzechs-level destruction hit at 105 (1.5 × 70 Intelligence), and Twilight Healing kept me durable. The fallen trio's 145 stats, Rias's 119, Gasper's time-stop—we were a juggernaut.
The Rating Game awaited. Riser's flames would meet dragons and shadows. Checkmate was ours.