Gladio Bael, Lion of Bael -
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Gladio sat in his chair as he played chess with Georg while they discussed matters.
''I'm growing tired of the monotony more than anything else. It's the same shit, just a different day. Golden Dawn wants more ancient reading materials, Grauzauberer wants more influence on the Council, Rosenkruzer doesn't want that. I am growing sick of dealing with it every damn week.'' Georg groused as he seized Gladio's sole remaining Knight with his Queen Piece, only to then have his Queen taken by Gladi's Bishop.
''Well, if you want a new challenge… You're more than welcome to join me. You won't be alone either; my next Peerage member is going to be a Longinus user regardless. Plus, if you join, we can get one more.'' Georg pushed his glasses up - a sign of his growing interest - as Gladio slid his Mutated Bishop across the table.
''I'll think about it.'' Georg said after a long moment, before knocking over his King. ''I'm afraid that I have to cut this short, unfortunately. I look forward to the next game.''
Once Georg had left, Gladio looked at the board in front of him and smiled. Georg, like many Magicians in Grauzauberer, was a disciple of the Romantic School of Chess.
He played a lot like his teacher, Rudolf Spielman. Unfortunately for Georg, Gladio and his kin were all devotees of the Soviet School of Chess. Originally, they all followed the Modenese Masters School, but Zekram Bael changed this approach after playing 12 games against Mikhail Botvinnik and losing every one. The change occurred well before Gladio's lifetime, but since Mikhail was Lord Zekram's Bishop, he had ample opportunity to learn.
It'd been a long six years, as his stats proved…
-||- User Stats: -||-
Name Gladiolus Bael
Species: Devil (Pure-Blooded)
Clan: Bael
Clan Trait: Power of Destruction (Mutated), Liontaming, King of Flies
Rank: Ultimate-Class Devil
Servants: 4 Pawns, 1 Rook
Power-Level: High-Tier Ultimate-Class
Potential Power Level: Upper High-Tier Satan-Class
Reputation: Famous Clan Heir
Age: 14
Titles: Prince, Heir of Bael, The Strongest Youth, The Lion Cub of Bael
Equipment and Abilities: Regulus Nemea, Boosted Gear (Blocked), Benihisago, Kōkinjō, Shichiseiken, Hiramekarei, Gunbai, Ebony Blade, Ebony Staff, Crocea Mors (Demon Sword), Gram (Demon Sword), Touki
System Rewards: Silver-Tongued (Passive) Lv-2, Dancer's Grace (Active) Lv-3, Observe (Passive) -Lv2, Charm (Semi-Active), Eight Gates (Support), All For One (Passive), Potential Unleashed (Support), Senju (Active), Massage King (Passive), King of Flies, Merchant (Support), Sword Saint [Unrealized] (Support), Compulsion (Passive), Edicts (Support/Passive/Active), Power Stone, Kurama
Merchant Items: Benihisago, Kōkinjō, Shichiseiken, Hiramekarei, Gunbai, Ebony Blade, Ebony Staff, Crocea Mors (Demon Sword).
Total AP: 7850
In the six years that have passed, Gladio has bulked up, grown up, and powered up. He'd also expanded his Peerage and had defeated his first notable swordsman, who had become his third Pawn, and with it, Gladio won Gram. Siegfried and Jeanne both were now Pawns under his banner, and he also conquered Tannin's mountain, which had led to him making Bova his servant. Each of his servants had their Potential Unleashed, and each had been taught the Eight Gates except Regulus, since in his case he no longer - strictly speaking - had his original body.
As a result of that, plus six years of religiously following his routine, he'd made enough leaps and bounds to become known as the Strongest Youth of his generation. He was also the first Pureblooded Devil to acquire Touki. He fully intended to claim the title of the Strongest Heir before he became the next Great King. Gladio turned to his Peerage, who were training nearby: Siegfried and Jeanne were battling against Bova and Regulus.
''Alright, that's enough.'' He clapped his hands twice as Jeanne, Regulus, and Siegfried immediately ceased the battle while Bova merely huffed and folded his arms. ''Now that Georg's left it's time to discuss an important matter. We're getting some new blood soon. And it's going to be a good one. Regulus is getting company; our next member is the wielder of Canis Lykaon, and to top it off, we're going to war.'' Gladio and Bova's tail began to sway excitedly.
''Are you just trying to be dramatic?'' He smirked at Kuisha.
''Hardly, I'm just being realistic. Sieg, you and Kuisha are with me; we'll make first contact. Bova and Jeanne get ready; we'll be going after some heavy hitters. Regulus, stay glued to the side of Magdaran unless you are called to my side.'' That was another thing.
Five years ago, his mother gave birth to another son. Magdaran Bael. Magdaran followed him around a lot whenever he could, and Gladio doted on his brother.
''On it, boss!'' Jeanne said cheerfully before dashing towards the armory. Siegfried sighed; Jeanne was a far cry from her nature in the anime; she was somewhat forgetful. Such as the fact that she could create he own weapons and, as such, did not need to go to the Bael Armory.
''When she remembers, one more round.'' He informed Bova, whose tail began to move in excitement again. ''Alright, let's go.''
''Gladi!'' Gladio turned and knelt as Magdaran ran into his arms.
''Magdaran, did you finish your lessons?'' He asked his brother.
''Uh-huh! Teach me!'' He smiled at Magdaran, who folded his little arms and tried to look important.
''Not right now, little brother; I have to go recruit a new Peerage member.'' Magdaran got an eager look in his eye.
''Take me!''
He reeeeaaaallllllyyyy shouldn't…
But Magdaran was his little brother, and he couldn't say no to his brother when he gave him that look.
''Fine, but don't tell mother.'' He said as Magdaran smiled before Gladio picked him up and waited for Sieg and Kuisha to fall in behind him before he snapped his fingers as they teleported.
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Tobio Ikuse, Bleak Existence -
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It had been a month.
A month since his life had changed for the worse.
His classmates and Sae had all vanished without a trace.
He had the unfortunate reality of being a survivor; at least the press had finally left him alone once they found him thoroughly un-newsworthy.
It took everything he had to just get out of bed and feed himself, and some days he couldn't even -
''The fuck?'' A bright light appeared before his eyes as some kind of rotating symbol appeared on the ground, and three teenagers appeared before him, with one holding a small child.
''You Tobio Ikuse?'' He didn't say a thing, still kind of trying to wrap his head around what just happened.
''I think you broke him, master.'' The Silver-haired boy said.
''I'm not Bova.'' The boy holding the child said before sighing, walking up to him, and slapping him across the face. ''Oi, wake up.''
''What the hell was that for!?'' He demanded as the pain registered.
''I'm going to cut this up nice and simple. The name's Gladiolous Bael. I'm the son and heir of Lord Bael, and a Devil of the 72 Pillars. This little tyke is my baby brother Magdaran; the two behind me are my Pawns, Kuisha of the House Abaddon and Siegfried, the former top exorcist of the Russian Orthodox Church. We're devils, and you, like your grandmother, are a descendant of the Himejime Clan.'' His attention was caught at the mention of granny.
''What do you know about Granny?'' He demanded.
''A lot. But I can offer you more than knowledge about your grandmother; I can introduce you to a cousin of yours I know, and I can also give you a shot against the S.o.B's who took your little girlfriend and Classmates.'' Tobio stood up straighter.
His hope rose, before it was overcome with anger.
Someone had taken Sae…
''What do you need me to do?'' He'd give anything to have Sae back.
The boy reached into his pocket as a golden chess piece, a Knight if he wasn't mistaken, was revealed and floated towards him. ''Press that to your chest, and your old life ends; you will be reborn as a Devil, the Knight of Bael. You will acquire the strength you need to get Sae and your classmates back.'' He held it in his hands for a few short seconds.
Sae had been kidnapped, and while this was very strange, if it got her back, he'd deal with the consequences. He placed it to his chest and was slightly startled as the Knight Piece entered his chest….
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Gladio Bael, Lion Cub of Bael -
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Gladio smiled as Tobio pressed the Knight Piece to his chest. He happily paid the price for the reincarnation and watched as the Magic Circle appeared and Tobio was reborn as the new Knight of Bael before a three-headed wolf lept out of his knight's shadow as Tobio collapsed.
''Eh, suppose that's to be expected.'' He handed Magdaran to Kuisha before kneeling in front of Jin. ''My name is Gladiolous Bael. I am the Lion King and the Red Dragon Emperor.'' Jin offered him a paw, and Gladio shook it before tossing Tobio over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes.
''Let's head back to the underworld; we must inform my father and Lord Zekram of our new member.'' He said, as Magdaran fidgeted about in Kuisha's arms, trying to get back to him.
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Gladio and company returned to the Bael Castle and kicked in Father's door before planting Tobio on the couch before turning to face Father and Zekram.
''I trust you have a good reason for kicking in my door?'' Father grunted.
''Of course, this is Tobio Ikuse. He is the second cousin of Rias's Queen Akeno, and the wielder of Canis Lykaon. Subspecies Canis Lykaon at that.'' Zekram smiled before drinking his tea.
''Well done, Gladioulous. You're a step closer to the strongest Peerage.'' He accepted the praise before nodding to Bova, who had followed him in. The dragon dragged Tobio by the leg out of the room.
''His lover was taken alongside a couple hundred other kids. I need authorization to kick down Mephisto's door and rally some help to put some up-jumped sorcerers in their place.'' Zekram drank his tea some more before speaking.
''You have it, though don't expect Mephisto to just agree.'' He bowed his head before he glanced at Father and departed.
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Zekram Bael, First Generation Bael -
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Watching his descendant leave, he turned to Zelaxus Bael.
''Have you selected a bride for him?'' He asked.
''I've begun negotiating with the Phenex Clan. Lord Reginald's daughter has the lineage and traits to make it a valuable match.'' Zelaxus informed, as Zekram hummed.
''A good match.'' Zelaxus preened at the praise. ''Continue the arrangements; if Gladiolus continues to grow and improve, we'll be in an even stronger position.'' He commanded. ''Gladiolus will be headed to the Human World soon to take over as the Governor of Kuoh Town; he'll be attending Kuoh Academy, which means many of his tutors will transition to teaching Magdaran.'' He reminded Zelaxus, who didn't look pleased at the reminder.
Gladiolus had campaigned hard to become Kuoh's governor after Cleria Belial had been dealt with, and it cost him a little influence against Sirzechs, but it had resulted in Zekram's heir being appointed Governor with the younger sibling of Serafall as his Vice-Governor and Rias Gremory as the Deputy Vice-Governor. It was worth losing a modicum of political influence for the gain in perception of power.
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Georg Faust, Kill Him Now -
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He had to be something of a masochist.
How else could he explain continuing to be the Chairman of the Magician's Association? He listened as the Rosenkruezer Representative and the Grauzauberer Rep were trying to outshout each other.
He stood up and walked out after ten more minutes.
No more listening to this stupid shit. Hopefully, Gladio wasn't kidding about his offer of joining the Bael Peerage. It had to be more exciting than this god damned rubbish….
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(Author's Note:)
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It's been a long two or three weeks, but finally that fucking gastrointestinal shit's over with and at long last this story has been publicly released. I completed this chapter a day after Chapter 5, but a day before I post Chapter 2 on account of the fact it's late and I was coming off an illness. Anyways, we time-skipped as was the plan. Next chapter we'll see more of Georg, more of Tobio, and we'll see some of what led Gladio to get nearly 8000 in AP in those six years. The next time-skip will probably occur towards the end of one of the Slash/Dog arcs; not sure which one yet. We also see the introduction of Magdaran, Siegfried, Jeanne, Bova, and Georg in this chapter.
I've got a lot to unpack regarding this chapter, but unfortunately there's not enough time or room to do it; not sure you all want to read another thousand or more words of more yapping about what's happened, so we'll cover the important shit.
I chose to have Jeanne and Sieg join the Peerage during the Time-Skip alongside Bova because it made the most sense if they aren't joining Cao Cao. Plus, this way I can explore more of their history via internal monologue if I need to flesh out a chapter. I wanted Magdaran to be at least five, which meant he couldn't be about ten years Gladio's junior, which was another thing I wanted, but it means I can explore the dynamic between them as well. I adore my own brothers, and am modelling Magdaran after my youngest brother who's seven and thus eighteen years my junior. Anyways, that's all I have time for it's late as fuck, and I have shit to do tomorrow, goodnight, and I'll see you all next chapter whenever that will be….
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